Man Utd are always on the lookout to add talent to their academy and a deal has been agreed to sign a midfielder.

10:49, 25 Sep 2025Updated 22:42, 25 Sep 2025

(Image: Manchester United)

Manchester United have a preliminary agreement to sign teenage midfielder Cristian Orozco.

Orozco, 17, plays for Fortaleza CEIF and has captained Colombia’s Under-17 team.

The defensive midfielder helped Colombia reach the final of the U17 South American Championship in the spring. Orozco has been identified as an exciting young talent with first team potential.

However, Orozco will not be able to complete a move to Old Trafford until he turns 18 next year. He will continue to play for Fortaleza CEIF until the transfer can be finalised in July.

Orozco will arrive in Manchester with a similar profile to Sekou Kone, who joined the academy from Malian club Guidars FC for around £1million in the 2024 summer transfer window.

Kone impressed scouts playing for Mali at the Under-17 World Cup before his transfer to United. Orozco’s performances at the recent U17 South American Championship were strong.

United have widened their academy recruitment in recent years due to Brexit rules, which prevent them from signing players from Europe.

In January, United agreed a £3.3million fee, rising to £7m with add-ons, with Cerro Porteno to sign Diego Leon. The deal also outlined Leon would complete his move from Paraguay in the summer window.

Leon impressed coaches at Carrington and exclusively worked with the first team in pre-season.

He was introduced to the Old Trafford crowd alongside Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.

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