Sheffield United have signed Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge from Belgian side Genk for a club record fee.
Berge, 21, who has 20 international caps, has signed a four-and-a-half year deal for around £22m.
He played both matches against Liverpool in the Champions League earlier this season and made 98 appearances for Genk scoring six goals.
The Blades’ previous record deal was the £20m spent on Scotland striker Oliver McBurnie in August 2019.
Berge joined Genk from Norwegian side Valerenga in 2015 and won the Belgian title last season.
Sheffield United said owner Prince Abdullah took a “personal interest” in the signing and was “instrumental in the negotiations”.
Manager Chris Wilder said: “When we sat down with Sander it was clear that he was really excited about coming here and that was great to see.
“I think this signing just shows how far we have come in a short space of time, that we are now attracting the likes of Sander to the football club. It’s a brilliant signing for us.”
The club are eighth in the Premier League and host Crystal Palace on Saturday at 15:00 GMT.
Analysis
European football expert Guillem Balague
What a great signing. Personality in abundance, clever in the way he reads the game. Quick in his decision making. He has got the whole of the pitch in his head.
He will become one of the top midfielders in the Premier League (not my words but of two top scouts that have followed his career).
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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