Daley Blind has joined Manchester United from Ajax for £14m. The utility player has signed a four-year deal at Old Trafford and the club have an option to extend that contract for another year.

Blind, who recently played under Louis van Gaal during Holland’s third-placed World Cup campaign but also when he was at Ajax, said: “It is a real honour to sign for Manchester United. I have been at Ajax since I was seven years old and I will always have very fond memories of the club and of my time there.

“Louis van Gaal is a tremendously talented coach, I have worked with him at Ajax and also for the Netherlands national team and I cannot wait to work with him at the biggest club in the world.”

Van Gaal added: “I am delighted Daley has signed for the club. He is a very intelligent and versatile footballer that can play in many positions. Daley is a great reader of the game, he has played under my philosophy over a number of years and he will be a great addition to the team.”

Van Gaal wanted the 24-year-old Blind to help bolster the side because he can play as a defensive midfielder, left-sided defender or wing-back. Blind will join £59.1m Ángel di María, £27m Luke Shaw, £28m Ander Herrera and £16m Marcos Rojo as first-team squad additions since Van Gaal became the manager. The loan signing of Radamel Falcao is expected to go through later on Monday.