Manchester United confirm plan for 'exciting' signing as sixth summer transfer confirmed | OneFootball

Red Devils have high hopes for latest arrival as move secured

Manchester United have confirmed that new signing Cristian Orozco will initially join their academy setup.

The highly-rated Colombian midfielder, 18, officially completed an £850,000 move from Bogota-based club Fortaleza on Thursday, signing a long-term contract at Old Trafford.

A deal to take Orozco to Manchester was first agreed last year, with United believed to have secured the signing of one of the most impressive young talents in South American football.

United’s pursuit of new midfielders this summer led some to question if the teenager may figure quickly in Michael Carrick’s first-team plans, such is the glowing reputation he has established so early in his senior career.

The Red Devils have already signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for combined fees of around £85million in this window, with a third new central midfielder wanted following the departure of Casemiro after the expiration of his contract.

Manuel Ugarte was also expected to leave United this summer, though he faces months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a serious knee injury suffered during Uruguay’s World Cup campaign last month.

A whole host of transfer targets continue to be linked with the club, including Real Madrid duo Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, Fulham’s Sander Berge, Tyler Adams at Bournemouth and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, who now looks likely to miss the start of the new Premier League season with an ankle ligament injury.

Done deal: Manchester United have signed Colombian midfielder Cristian Orozco

Despite United’s desire for more midfield strengthening, Orozco will start life in English football with their academy as he no doubt eyes a fast track into Carrick’s first-team plans.

“Manchester United have completed the signing of exciting young midfielder Cristian Orozco,” United said in an official club statement.

“Orozco, who was developed in Rojo FC’s academy, played five first-team games for Fortaleza last season and has represented Colombia up to Under-17s level.

“He will initially be supported by the Academy while he settles into life at Manchester United.

“Everyone at the club would like to welcome Cristian to United and wish him the very best of luck.”

Orozco is United’s sixth signing of the summer so far and third in their youth ranks, following the arrival of Wales Under-21 goalkeeper Kit Margetson from Swansea and £8m signing of winger Tynan Thompson from Tottenham.

Former Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow was also signed as a free agent to back up first-choice senior ‘keeper Senne Lammens, to go with the midfielder moves for Santos and Tielemans.