Finally, Marseille has signed their desired player.

Mason Greenwood has signed a five-year contract with Marseille after Manchester United decided he could not stay with the club, but they have kept the door open for a prospective return.

Mason Greenwood’s Manchester United career may not be over after the club included a buyback clause in the deal that transferred him to Marseille.

Greenwood signed a five-year contract with Marseille on Thursday, after the French club agreed to pay United £26.6 million for his services. The 22-year-old striker has departed his hometown club permanently after spending last season on loan at Getafe.

Greenwood left for Spain last summer after United completed an internal inquiry that concluded he would not play again for the club. Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault resulting in actual bodily harm in October 2022.

The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the allegations in February 2023, stating that “a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction,” however his departure from United was mutually agreed. United included a significant sell-on provision in the transfer agreement with Marseille, but they also left the door open for a possible return in the future.

According to the Telegraph, such a clause is typical when selling academy graduates, and United is unlikely to apply it again. However, they were not obligated to do so, and its existence signals that United may reconsider their original decision to remove Greenwood.

In a statement in August, United said: “All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties in him resuming his career at Manchester United.” It has so been mutually agreed that it would be preferable for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now collaborate with Mason to achieve that goal.

“Based on the facts available to us, we found that the material uploaded online did not present a complete picture and that Mason did not commit the offenses for which he was initially accused. That said, Mason publicly admits today that he has made mistakes for which he accepts responsibility.

Greenwood stated at his first press conference as a Marseille player that he will not discuss the past in response to criticism from some supporters and the city’s mayor. “I understand the questions, I don’t want to talk about it too much or get into debates and controversies,” he replied.

“I discussed it with the supporters on Thursday, as well as last season. I want to move on; I want to be a part of Olympique Marseille. My objective is to focus just on the football part. The staff and players informed me about the foundation, associations, and hospital visits, and I, like the other players, would engage in these projects.

“This season, I hope to play well for Marseille at the Velodrome in front of amazing fans. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, and I can’t wait to play in front of this crowd. For the time being, I’m focused on what I need to accomplish for my club.”