De Ligt – Biography, Stats, and Injury Update 2025
Matthijs de Ligt, the Dutch centre-back, completed his first season at Manchester United in 2024/25. This article covers his age, position, career timeline from Ajax to United, injury status, and key statistics.
Who is Matthijs de Ligt? Age, Position, and Nationality
Quick Overview
Matthijs de Ligt
12 August 1999 (age 26)
Netherlands
Centre-back
Key Insights
- De Ligt completed his first season at Manchester United with 42 appearances, scoring three times in Ruben Amorim’s back three system.
- At 26, he has already played for Ajax, Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United, highlighting elite career progression.
- Despite his status as a high-profile centre-back, De Ligt has not yet won a major international trophy with the Netherlands (best finish: 2019 UEFA Nations League runner-up).
- His injury record is relatively clean; no major layoffs were reported during the 2024/25 season.
- He remains a regular starter for the Netherlands national team with significant World Cup experience.
Snapshot Facts
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 12 August 1999 |
| Age | 26 |
| Nationality | Netherlands |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Current Club | Manchester United |
| Joined Manchester United | 2024 |
| Previous Clubs | Ajax, Juventus, Bayern Munich |
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Weight | 87 kg |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| World Cup Appearances | Yes (2022) |
| 2024/25 Appearances (Man Utd) | 42 |
| 2024/25 Goals (Man Utd) | 3 |
De Ligt Now: Current Team, Injury Status, and 2024/25 Season
Where Does De Ligt Play Now?
De Ligt currently plays for Manchester United in the Premier League. He joined the club in August 2024 from Bayern Munich for a transfer value of €49.3 million and wears shirt number 4.
What Is De Ligt’s Injury Status?
No major long-term injuries have been reported during De Ligt’s time at Manchester United across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons. He has consistently started and completed 90 minutes in league matches. The only notable injury in his career occurred during his Ajax days, when he was substituted in the 33rd minute against Vitesse in 2018 during his 100th game for the club.
De Ligt’s fitness record since joining Manchester United shows uninterrupted availability. He has started regularly under Ruben Amorim, with no official club updates indicating any current physical issues.
What Are De Ligt’s Stats for 2024/25 and Beyond?
In his debut season at Manchester United (2024/25), De Ligt made 42 appearances across all competitions, scoring 3 goals (including 31 league starts). As of November 2025, he has made 16 appearances in the 2025/26 season (14 in the Premier League, 2 in World Cup Qualifiers), scoring 1 goal in 1,338 total minutes. His defensive contributions include 55 clearances and 11 tackles.
De Ligt’s Career Timeline: From Ajax to Manchester United
When Did De Ligt Join Manchester United?
De Ligt signed for Manchester United in the summer of 2024. The move reunited him with former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, though Ten Hag departed during the 2024/25 season. Under Ruben Amorim, De Ligt became the central figure in a back-three system, leveraging his ball-playing ability and aerial strength.
Has De Ligt Played in the World Cup?
Yes, De Ligt represented the Netherlands at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His international experience also includes being the youngest debutant for the Dutch national team since 1945.
De Ligt has been a senior Netherlands international since 2017. He became the youngest debutant for the national team in over 70 years and remains a regular fixture in the squad under the current coaching staff.
De Ligt Dates Joined — Club History
- Ajax youth: 2009–2016
- Ajax senior: 2016–2019
- Juventus: 2019–2022
- Bayern Munich: 2022–2024
- Manchester United: 2024–present
What Happened to De Ligt? Career Transfers and Progression
De Ligt’s career has followed a distinct trajectory. He developed through Ajax’s elite youth academy, became the youngest captain in the club’s history, and won the Golden Boy Award in 2018 as the first defender to receive the honour. His €75 million transfer to Juventus in 2019 marked a step into Italian football, where he won Serie A, the Supercoppa, and the Coppa Italia. At Bayern Munich (2022–2024), he added a Bundesliga title and a Super Cup to his collection before moving to Manchester United.
De Ligt’s current contract at Manchester United runs through the initial phase of his tenure. No official statements regarding future transfers or contract extensions have been released by the club as of late 2025.
What Are the Key Milestones in De Ligt’s Career?
- 1999: Born in Leiderdorp, Netherlands.
- 2009: Joined Ajax youth academy.
- 2016: Senior debut for Ajax.
- 2017: Became youngest ever Ajax captain (18 years old).
- 2019: Transferred to Juventus for €75 million.
- 2022: Moved to Bayern Munich; represented Netherlands at FIFA World Cup Qatar.
- 2024: Signed for Manchester United.
- 2025: Completed debut season at Manchester United (42 appearances, 3 goals).
De Ligt Injury Status: What Is Certain and What Is Not
| Statement | Certainty | Details |
|---|---|---|
| De Ligt currently plays for Manchester United | Certain | Confirmed by official club and Premier League websites. |
| De Ligt is injured | Uncertain | No major injury reported in 2024/25; routine fitness questions remain without official club update. |
| De Ligt will play in the 2026 World Cup | Uncertain | Dependent on Netherlands qualification and squad selection, though his current form makes it highly likely. |
De Ligt in the Bigger Picture: Role, Comparisons, and Context
De Ligt’s transfer to Manchester United in 2024 reunited him with former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, though Ten Hag departed during the season. Under Ruben Amorim, De Ligt became the central player in a back-three system, using his ball-playing ability and aerial strength. Compared to peers like Virgil van Dijk (older, more experienced) and Micky van de Ven (younger, faster), De Ligt occupies a middle ground with elite potential still being realized at club level. His career has followed a distinct pattern: elite youth development at Ajax, a high-profile move to Juventus for tactical growth, a stint at Bayern Munich for silverware, and now a return to a rebuilding Manchester United.
Official Sources and Key Quotes on De Ligt
“De Ligt is described as ‘a natural fit as the central player in Ruben Amorim’s back three'”
— Manchester United official profile
“42 appearances, 3 goals, 0 assists in 2024/25 debut season”
— Premier League statistics
“Born 12 August 1999, Dutch professional footballer, centre-back for Manchester United and Netherlands”
— Wikipedia
Matthijs de Ligt: Key Facts and Takeaways
Matthijs de Ligt is a 26-year-old Dutch centre-back for Manchester United with a career spanning Ajax, Juventus, and Bayern Munich. He finished his first Premier League season with 42 appearances and 3 goals, and remains a regular starter for the Netherlands. To see how he compares with other defenders across the league, check our Premier League centre-back rankings 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions About De Ligt
How old is Matthijs de Ligt?
He was born on 12 August 1999, making him 26 years old as of 2025.
What position does De Ligt play?
He plays as a centre-back and is comfortable in a back three or back four.
Which country does De Ligt play for?
He plays for the Netherlands national team at the senior level.
Has De Ligt played in the World Cup?
Yes, he represented the Netherlands at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
When did De Ligt join Manchester United?
He joined Manchester United in the summer of 2024 from Bayern Munich.
What is De Ligt’s height and weight?
He is 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) tall and weighs 87 kg.
How many appearances has De Ligt made for Manchester United?
He made 42 appearances in all competitions during his debut 2024/25 season, with 31 league starts.
Is De Ligt an international footballer?
Yes, he has been a senior international for the Netherlands since 2017 and was the youngest debutant since 1945.
What trophies has De Ligt won?
He has won Serie A, the Supercoppa, and Coppa Italia with Juventus, plus the Bundesliga and Super Cup with Bayern Munich.
Which clubs has De Ligt played for?
He has played for Ajax, Juventus, Bayern Munich, and currently Manchester United.
Manchester United squad 2024/25
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