Man Utd is set to lose one of their best young players this summer after the player turned down a new contract offer.
One of Manchester United’s most promising young players has said goodbye to the club and is reportedly set to join La Liga team Athletic Bilbao.
Manchester United kicked off their pre-season on Saturday afternoon with a mostly young team playing against Wrexham in Helsinki. Many usual players are missing because they took part in this summer’s World Cup, and there’s a four-week rest period after teams exit the tournament. This means the early part of pre-season is a great chance for younger players to show Michael Carrick they deserve a place in the first team.
In goal, experienced Tom Heaton was there along with academy players Dermot Mee and Radek Vitek. New signing Karl Darlow is still recovering from a medical procedure done at the end of last season, and Senne Lammens has been playing in the World Cup with Belgium.
One young player not on the trip was 16-year-old Darlington Osuchukwu, who looks set to leave Old Trafford this summer. He joined United when he was 13 and worked his way up through their youth teams. Earlier this year, he played for Spain’s U17 team, after previously representing England at youth level. Now, he’s returning to his home country of Spain.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke shared back in June that Osuchukwu, who was well-regarded at United’s youth setup, was being chased by Barcelona. But now it seems Athletic Bilbao have won the race to sign him. Darlington posted a heartfelt goodbye message to United on Instagram.
He said it was an “incredibly difficult decision” to leave Old Trafford and that the club had tried to keep him. “This was not an easy choice for my family and me,” he wrote. “While I’m thankful for the chance to grow here, we believe it’s time for a new chapter.”
He also shared how much the club has meant to him: “It’s hard to find the right words to say how much this club has meant to me. I want to thank everyone at Manchester United – and I really mean everyone. From the coaches who believed in me, to the kitmen working behind the scenes, and especially my teammates who became more like brothers. Everyone has helped shape not just the player I am today, but the person I’ve become. The lessons, values, friendships, and memories I’ve made here will stay with me forever.”
He added, “I’m grateful to the club for trusting me and for the chance to wear this badge. Playing for Manchester United has been one of the greatest honors of my young career, and something I’ll always be proud of.”
Spanish news outlet AS reports that United didn’t want to let the goalkeeper go, but Osuchukwu and his family see Bilbao as the best step for his future. The deal is expected to be finalized soon. He reportedly turned down offers from Lille, Borussia Dortmund, Anderlecht, and Copenhagen to choose Bilbao.
This move is extra special for him because he used to be part of the youth academy at Gazte Berriak, also in northern Spain, and he spent some time at Osasuna as well.