Manchester United have reportedly snapped up the highly-rated Northern Irish wonderkid Ethan Galbraith, who is set to join the club from County Antrim.
According to the Irish Mirror, Manchester United have been able to snap up the services of highly-rated Northern Irish wonderkid Ethan Galbraith. The County Antrim defensive midfielder, who is an Arsenal fan himself, is set to join the Red Devils’ academy side.
The 16-year-old impressed in two trials with the club after the player was spotted by United scout Tony Coulter, while playing for the Linfield Under-16s. Ethan was then called up to the club’s premises in January, wherein the youngster signed a three-year deal with the club in the presence of Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs.
Midfield seems to have become a priority for Manchester United in their recruitment policy at the youth level, with Arnau Puigmal’s signature secured.
Ethan Galbraith 2nd from left bottom row as a young under 12 now off to @ManUtd good luck mate ⚽ pic.twitter.com/RRMmN3R3eu
— leeG1878 (@duncsablue) June 27, 2017
The Northern Irish midfield prospect is set to travel this week for official confirmation of the pre-contract, which is a one-year scholarship deal along with a subsequent two-year contract. The player has himself confirmed that he will be joining the Under-18s managed by Kieran McKenna and that the aim is to graduate into the first-team.
Ethan said,“When I started out in football, my dream was to one day go to England and make a career out of it.”I always wanted to do this from a young age, but to be honest I never would have dreamt of signing for Manchester United. It is amazing. I have always wanted to play football, and now I am getting the chance to do that.”
“It is massive, and I am buzzing for it. I am over the moon. It is a challenge, but I can’t wait for it. I signed the pre-contract in January and I will finally travel over to Manchester this weekend to live there and sign my full deal.”
“It is one-year scholarship and then two-year pro deal. I will be playing with the Under 18s next season, but the big aim is to progress to the first team. I would love to eventually play senior football for Northern ireland, but at the minute I am just concentrating on my club game and taking things from there.”
Manchester United snap up talented Northern Irish teenager Ethan Galbraith on three-year contract https://t.co/u07NmLImW6 pic.twitter.com/rOPPlgBX7s
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) June 27, 2017
Ethan is a very highly-rated prospect back in his country. The 16-year-old is the current captain of the international Under-17 side and has also featured for the Under-18s as well. The player has had two previous spells at Linfield. But, Manchester United will pose a new challenge.
And it will be interesting to see how the prospect develops at the club. United have a rich history of having Northern Irish academy prospects. However, the recent squad lacked any, something which has never happened in a long while. Ethan’s arrival could also mean promotion to the Under-23s for prospects like Callum Whelan.
