Former Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has finally found a new club.
Complex career
The Ivorian joined United in the summer of 2016 and enjoyed a successful first season, playing regularly and winning the league cup and Europa League.
Sadly, the rest of his United career was characterised by injuries and erratic moments of play.
He finally left the club in 2023 and joined Besiktas in Turkey. Controversy would soon follow as he got into a fight with a teammate and was finally excluded from the squad.
As a result, he had his contract terminated and moved to former side Villarreal. Here he would stay until June of this year but he was ultimately released after failing to secure a regular spot in the starting line up.
Saudi confusion
It was thought that the Ivory Coast international would be joining Saudi Arabian side Al Najmah SC after agreeing a deal earlier in the summer.
Surprisingly, Bailly decided to leave negotiations before a deal could be signed.
He was then linked to a move to Serie A with Cagliari and Cremonese both showing interest in the player. Nonetheless, his potential salary was seen as problematic by the two clubs.
Bailly gets his move
News broke late last night from Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano that Bailly has secured a move to stay in Spain by signing with Real Oviedo.
The journalist reports that “Eric Bailly to Real Oviedo, here we go! Deal in place for former Man Utd and Villarreal defender.”
He also claimed that the 31-year-old “is on his way to Spain right now, flying there ahead of medical on Monday.”
Oviedo secured a promotion back to La Liga after beating CD Mirandés 3-2 on aggregate in a dramatic play-off final at the end of June.
🚨🔵⚪️ Eric Bailly to Real Oviedo, here we go! Deal in place for former Man Utd and Villarreal defender.
Understand Bailly is on his way to Spain right now, flying there ahead of medical on Monday.
Follows decision to reject Saudi move despite initial verbal agreement. pic.twitter.com/rf9hxDH1E3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 17, 2025
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
