New Manchester United defender Andrea Medina didn’t just stumble into her move to the Women’s Super League. She had a direct line to someone who knew both clubs intimately, and that person made the decision a lot easier.
Medina, 22, joined United this week from Atletico Madrid as the club’s first summer signing. She signed through 2029 with a club option for an extra year, and she’ll wear the No. 6 shirt left open by Hannah Blundell’s departure. But the transfer might not have happened without a little help from an old friend.
Vilde’s voice in her ear
Before Medina packed her bags for Manchester, she called up Atletico teammate Vilde Boe Risa. Boe Risa spent two seasons at United before moving to Spain in 2023, so she knew the setup at Leigh Sports Village firsthand.
“I get along very well with her,” Medina said in an interview with club media. “She spoke very well to me about the club. She helped me choose well, that I had to come here, she helped me, so the truth is I’m very happy.”
That kind of peer recommendation matters. Boe Risa didn’t just say nice things. She gave Medina a real sense of what the club expects, how the team operates, and why it could be the right fit for a defender coming from Liga F.
United made an impression in the Champions League
Medina also got a firsthand look at United’s quality last season. The two teams met three times in the Champions League during the 2025-26 campaign, and United won all three matches. That left an impression on the Spanish defender.
“In the Champions League, all the teams you face are incredible, and when I faced Manchester United, well, it seemed incredible to me,” she said. “All the players. The truth is that it’s a very good team, very important, and I’m happy to be here.”
Medina describes herself as a straightforward, physical player: “very aggressive, fast, forceful. I fight for everything, I fight for every ball.” That style should translate fine to the WSL, where pace and commitment get rewarded.
She’ll meet her new teammates later this month when United reports back for preseason training ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. The club hasn’t confirmed any further summer additions yet, but Medina is the first piece in what could be a busy window.
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