Video: Mason Greenwood scores first goal for Olympique de Marseille

Mason Greenwood scored his first goal for new club Olympique de Marseille following the 22-year-old’s controversial transfer from Manchester United earlier this month.

Marseille won the race to sign Greenwood with a host of clubs across Europe interested in the forward, including Borussia Dortmund, Napoli, Juventus and Getafe – the club he spent last season on loan at.

The loan to the Liga side was a successful one given Greenwood had not played competitive football in over eighteen months at the time, following his protracted and highly-controversial legal issues. The 22-year-old scooped up Getafe’s Player of the Season award as he contributed to 14 goals (8 goals and 6 assists) in 33 league appearances in Spain.

Getafe were keen for Greenwood to remain at the club next season but, ultimately, it was Marseille who offered United the best financial package, as well as the option the academy graduate felt most comfortable at.

The deal, worth a reported €31.6 million (£26.7 million) in total (£23.3 million fixed sum and £3.4 million in add-ons), includes a large share of any future sale. United are entitled to 50% of the profit Marseille may command from a future transfer of the forward.

And, given there is an expectation Greenwood will continue to rediscover the form which made him one of the valuable youngsters in the world prior to his legal troubles, United are likely to profit considerably from this clause.

However, as per the agreement over the loan move with Getafe, which essentially helped reintroduce Greenwood to professional football amid an extremely controversial context, the Spanish club are also entitled to 20% of the revenue generated from the deal.

As an academy player the money raised from Greenwood’s sale constitutes pure profit from a Financial Fair Play perspective and, therefore, it will contribute greatly to United’s constrained transfer budget this summer, despite Getafe’s portion of the profit.

Expectedly, there was backlash from Marseille’s fanbase, as well as the French city in general, to the club’s pursuit of Greenwood. Fans created an online petition repudiating the move while the city’s mayor, Benoit Payan, called it a “disgrace“.

The transfer went ahead, however, with new Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi (formerly of Brighton & Hove Albion) fiercely defending Greenwood publicly.

The 22-year-old made his debut for his new club against Toulon last week but, in his next appearance, went one better by opening his goal tally in France. Marseille faced off against Pau FC, a 2nd division side in France, at their home stadium, emerging as comfortable 3-0 winners, with Greenwood scoring the first goal of the game.

The forward, arriving in the box from the left-wing, quickly brought the ball under control, deftly dancing past a challenging defender to finish with trademark efficiency past the Pau goalkeeper. His celebrations were mooted.

But, given the form Greenwood displayed in an otherwise poor Getafe side last season, and the faith De Zerbi looks ready to place in him, it’s extremely unlikely to be the last goal the 22-year-old scores in the white of Marseille.

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