Man Utd complete signing of wonderkid after Arsenal trial as recruitment vision becomes clear
A young defender who has trialled at several Premier League clubs has joined Manchester United’s academy, as the club continues to add emerging talent to its ranks.
Manchester United have completed the signing of a 13-year-old prospect who has previously had trials with Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace. The defender, known only as Socrates, has been praised for his resilience after being rewarded with a move to the Red Devils.
United have prioritized youth recruitment under Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Last season they signed Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi from Arsenal’s academy, while the reluctance to sign Sergio Ramos suggests high-paid over-30 players are a thing of the past.
“From ELA ➝ Signing for one of the biggest clubs in the world,” wrote Elite London Academy, a youth football organization based in west London. “Today we congratulate Socrates on his official signing for Manchester United. @manutd
“Socrates has been with us for five years – five years of development, hard work and belief. From the moment he joined the Elite London Academy, you could see he had something special: technically gifted, intelligent on the ball, courageous in duels and always eager to learn.
“Throughout his journey, we arranged trials for him at Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace. He had full trials at these clubs, but these did not result in a registration. No doubt, missed opportunities for the clubs. But what made Socrates different was the way he reacted. He did not sulk. He did not lose confidence. He showed resilience, maturity and a mindset far beyond of his age.”
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According to ELA’s post, Socrates started as a winger but now plays as a left central defender. He reportedly turned down a contract at another club due to the academic opportunities offered and would continue his studies at “a highly academic and selective school” in Manchester.
“Off the pitch, he is exactly the type of boy every academy wants: humble, well-mannered, intelligent, respectful and motivated,” the academy added. “And behind him is a family that supports him in every way necessary: patient, positive and confident in the process.”
United have also shown their academy talents that there is a route to the first team. Both Heaven and Obi played for the senior team under head coach Ruben Amorim, while others – including 15-year-old prodigy JJ Gabriel – trained with Amorim’s team while waiting for that first opportunity.
Gabriel, who has 10 goals in 11 games for United’s Under-18s, this week became the club’s youngest goalscorer in the FA Youth Cup. His goal against Peterborough proved to be a winner and showed why United are so determined to keep him at the club amid reports of transfer interest from Barcelona.
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