Manchester United have reportedly snapped up the services of Huddersfield Town academy star Rocco Fregapane on a free transfer.
According To The Sun, Manchester United have added another English prospect to their squad, snapping up Rocco Fregapane on a free transfer. The player arrives from Huddersfield Town, who have only recently decided to downgrade their academy facilities.
Huddersfield Town decided to downgrade their academy setup from ‘Category 2’ to ‘Category 4’ citing the lack of success from the setup in recent times, despite their promotion to the Premier League. Club chairman Dean Hoyle explained the rationale behind their decision.
Congrats to AHCC student Rocco Fregapane (pictured below right) on his scholarship with Huddersfield Town FC and his England U15 trial! ⚽️? pic.twitter.com/fFM2LPjdPR
— AHCC PE (@AHCCPE) August 9, 2017
“Our Academy system must provide a strong and obvious pathway to the first-team for players who are good enough, whilst also representing value for the club. Upon review, this is not something that we could claim. This decision has been the biggest we have undertaken in my time as chairman, and not an easy one.”
“However, we cannot be afraid of change. This is a vital area to the long-term success of this club. We must make every effort to get this right.”
Rocco Fregapane has had a whirlwind of a time recently. The player has joined Manchester United and is on course to appearing for the England Under-15s having been called up to the squad. The report iterates that Sam Fregapane, Rocco’s father, confirmed the news on Facebook.
“Well done to Rocco who today signed for Man Utd and he is off on England duty next week for the Under-15s. We are so proud of you.”
The academic reshuffle at Huddersfield Town comes as a surprise as they become they are set to become the only side in the Premier League currently to not have representation at the youth levels.
The move meant the players were free to discuss their future with other clubs, something many Premier League clubs took an advantage of, offering to take several of the youngsters on trial in an attempt to take a closer look at them.
ACADEMY SIGNINGS: Rocco Fregapane, Dylan Youmbi (U15), Sam Murray, Rajdeep Palett, Harvey Rowe (U14) & Sonny Pickup (U12) have joined #MUFC
— Man Utd News ? (@NewManUtdNews) October 23, 2017
Manchester United were one of the primary beneficiaries, though, with the Red Devils taking up as many as five of the prospects on trial. And it seems they have now gone ahead and signed Rocco Fregapane on a permanent basis.
It will be interesting to see how the released prospects go on to do in the footballing world and whether Huddersfield do end up ruing their decision.
