Cameroonian Bryan Mbeumo Becomes Most Expensive African Footballer in History

Edited By : Widad WAHBI

Manchester United officially announced on Tuesday, July 22, the signing of Cameroonian forward Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford for a record-breaking €81 million, making him the most expensive African footballer in history. The deal was finalized just hours before the Red Devils departed for their U.S. summer tour.

Born in Avallon, France, Mbeumo, 25, has spent the past six seasons at Brentford, where he built a solid reputation as a dynamic and consistent attacker. During his time with the club, he netted 70 goals and provided 51 assists across all competitions, solidifying his place as a key player for both club and country.

Now a fully committed international with Cameroon’s national team, Mbeumo has signed with Manchester United until June 30, 2030. His move comes with a significant salary increase—from €200,000 to €708,000 per month, excluding bonuses.

Speaking to the press shortly after signing, Mbeumo expressed his excitement: “This is the team of my dreams, the one I supported as a child. Wearing this shirt means everything.”

French coach Sébastien Migné, who has worked closely with the Cameroonian national team, weighed in on the transfer: “This marks a major turning point in Bryan’s career. He’s going from a modest club to one of the world’s elite teams. While a period of adaptation is inevitable, his deep familiarity with the Premier League is a major advantage—and he’s a determined player.”

With this landmark move, Mbeumo surpasses previous records held by African stars and signals Manchester United’s ambitious intent to reinforce their squad with proven Premier League talent.