Manchester United defender Harry Maguire walks around the Aon Training Complex after signing for the club on Monday in Manchester, England. Photo: VCG

Manchester United made Harry Maguire the most expensive defender in history on Monday as the fallen giants of English football start building from the back in their bid to bridge the gap on champions Manchester City and Liverpool.

Financial details were not disclosed but British media said United had paid Premier League rivals Leicester City around 80 million pounds ($97 million) for the England international, surpassing the 75 million pounds Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk in January last year.

Maguire, 26, signed a six-year contract with the option to extend for a further year and United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hailed his latest recruit as "one of the best centerbacks in the game today."

"He's a great reader of the game and has a strong presence on the pitch, with the ability to remain calm under pressure - coupled with his composure on the ball and a huge presence in both boxes," Norwegian Solskjaer told the club's website.

"I can see he will fit well into this group both on and off the pitch... he has a great personality and is a fantastic addition to the club."

For all the attacking verve of the club's glory years under former boss Alex Ferguson, the Scot ensured a solid foundation with his centerback pairings, but that has been missing in recent seasons despite repeated trips to the transfer market.

Following the lead of City, with John Stones, and Liverpool with Van Dijk, Solskjaer and the club's owners have recognized that first and foremost, they need to tighten up at the back.

Maguire is the Old Trafford club's second most expensive recruit after French midfielder Paul Pogba, who was signed for a then world-record 89 million pounds from Juventus in 2016.

Maguire, who was also targeted by champions City, signed a contract extension to 2023 with Leicester last year and played 31 times in the league last season, scoring three goals.

However, United flexed their financial muscle to ward off their neighbors and Maguire said he could not turn down the opportunity to help the record 20-time ­English champions win more trophies.

"I'm delighted to have signed for this great club... when United come knocking... it's an incredible opportunity. From my conversations with the manager, I'm excited about the vision and plans he has for the team," Maguire said.

Maguire is United's third recruit of the close season after they signed ­winger Daniel James from Championship side Swansea City and right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace.