Napoli have signed Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay for a fee of £25.7m.

The Scotland international, 27, departs having spent his entire career at United – first attending a soccer school at the club when aged five.

McTominay made his United debut in 2017 and made 255 club appearances under four permanent managers.

He scored 10 goals in 43 appearances last season but was likely to have his game time limited by the imminent arrival of midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Paris St-Germain.

In a farewell message to United fans, McTominay said he would have “snapped your hand off” for the Old Trafford career he has had.

“I’ve absolutely loved it and I’m very, very grateful for the football club and I’m ready for a new challenge and I’m ready to go and embrace it and take it by storm,” he added.

“I want to see Manchester United win, I want to see us do really, really well and I’ll be watching as well. Thank you for having me and I have enjoyed every minute.”

The deal is also beneficial to United because, as a homegrown player, McTominay’s departure gives the club more flexibility within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.

Manager Erik ten Hag said his feelings were “mixed” about the transfer.

“I’m very happy for him,” said the Dutchman. “It’s also [a good deal] for us, but it is mixed because I wouldn’t prefer to lose him because he’s Manchester United in everything.

“He was so important for our team, for Manchester United, but unfortunately it’s the rules.

“We have to discuss the rules, when you have to sell and obviously homegrown and academy players bring more value, that’s not the right thing to do.

“But I think for everyone, for all parts it’s a good deal. For Scott, he’s happy with it, for Napoli a very good player, but also for us.”

Napoli, who are managed by former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Antonio Conte, also signed striker Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea on Thursday.

The Italian outfit are also trying to sign McTominay’s Scotland team-mate Billy Gilmour, 23, from Brighton.

That transfer has been mooted for much of the window and both sides believe it is likely to go through before the deadline.