Done Deal: Manchester United Sign Manchester City Midfielder Karim Cassim | OneFootball

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It is a busy day for Manchester United.

Manchester United have completed a deal to sign highly rated Manchester City midfielder Karim Cassim.

Attacking Football sources understand that the deal is done, with the 16-year-old set to leave City’s academy and continue his development at Carrington.

The agreement completes an impressive double swoop for United following their capture of David Eze from the same academy. Attacking Football previously reported that negotiations for Cassim were at an advanced stage, but the move has now been finalised.

Karim Cassim deal completed

Cassim had emerged as one of United’s leading academy targets as the club continued to explore opportunities involving the best young players in English football.

Reports had previously described United as being in talks with the Manchester City midfielder, who was identified as one of several teenage talents being pursued as part of the club’s increasingly aggressive youth-recruitment strategy.

Those discussions have now reached a successful conclusion, with Cassim set to make the move across Manchester.

The midfielder was part of City’s youth setup and made his first appearance in the Under-18 Premier League North during the 2025/26 campaign, coming off the bench against Newcastle United while still only 16.

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Cassim is primarily regarded as a central midfielder who can play as a 6 or an 8 and has also been involved at England youth level. His arrival will give United another talented option within an academy structure that continues to place a strong emphasis on technical quality, athletic development and creating a pathway towards first-team football.

United complete City double swoop

The completion of Cassim’s move comes shortly after United secured David Eze, another highly rated midfielder from their local rivals.

Although the two transfers are separate deals, landing both players represents an eye-catching piece of academy recruitment for United.

Taking two promising midfielders from Manchester City in the same window underlines the determination of United’s recruitment staff to compete for the strongest youth talent available.

It also reflects the wider direction being taken at Carrington. United are not simply focusing on additions for the senior squad; the club is attempting to strengthen every level of the football structure by bringing in players who could become first-team options in the future.

Cassim will now have the opportunity to establish himself within that pathway and continue his development in United’s academy.

Another major youth signing for United

The signing is unlikely to generate the same immediate attention as a senior first-team transfer, but internally it will be viewed as another important success.

Academy recruitment has become increasingly competitive, with leading clubs attempting to identify and secure players before they become established at senior level. United’s capture of Cassim demonstrates that they are prepared to move decisively when an opportunity emerges.

Following the completed signing of Eze, Cassim becomes the second Manchester City midfielder set to swap the Etihad Campus for Carrington.