Manchester United have signed 18-year-old American youngster, Matthew Olosunde after the latter received international clearance to play for the Premier League club.
Olosunde is a product of the New York Red Bulls youth system and was recently named as one of Duke University’s six new recruits for the upcoming season before the Red Devils offered the promising footballer a deal he couldn’t resist.
Born on 7 March 1998, the 6 feet 1-inch tall defender is a native of Trenton, New Jersey.
The America Under-18 regular is a defender and can play both at full-back and centre-back. Moreover, since he also started his youth career as a right winger, he is not shy to join the attack if and when needed.
Key member for the US Under 17 side
Olosunde was a key member of the United States Under-17 national team for the 2015 FIFA World Cup and earlier this year before Olosunde’s move to Old Trafford, his head coach at Duke University, John Kerr told the press, “Matthew is a fantastic player who is comfortable playing in the back or in midfield.
Later he also added, "He has wicked pace and has incredible defensive recovery speed. He has great one versus one instinct on both sides of the ball and will help us right away in a number of positions.”
The Red Devils have officially announced the arrival of the American on their website.
The announcement read, “Matthew Olosunde has completed a move to Manchester United and has been included in tonight's Under-18 squad to face Brighton & Hove Albion. The defender signed for the club on 29th January but his arrival has only been announced now that international clearance has been received for the young American.”
United had agreed on the deal for the 18-year-old on 29 January 2016 but had to wait for international clearance before officially announcing the completion of the deal.
Reportedly, Olosunde had been included in the squad for United’s Under-21 match against their arch rivals, Liverpool.
The teenager who had quit MLS outfit New York Red Bulls to attend college at Duke University, before signing for the most successful club in England, will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow United starlets like Marcus Rashford and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson by being a regular in the first team at Old Trafford for years to come.
