Spanish outlet Noticias de Navarra today brings a nice and interesting story about Darlington Osuchukwu, a 13-year-old goalkeeper who’s recently joined Manchester United.
Even though the Red Devils are one of the European giants who are powerful enough to go and get players from other countries, this signing actually happened in a different way, with the teenager moving to England first.
The story is told my Mikel Garriz, president of Gazte Berriak, the club Osuchukwu had been playing for in the past few years. He explains that his family and the club both had influence in such a big move for the youngster.
“In August, the parents decided that they were going to live in England, due to work issues. We have a certain relationship with the family because, apart from Darlington, his brother Promise was also with us,” Garriz told Noticias de Navarra.
“It was a family that we helped with things from the club and the father was still in contact with me. We prepared some videos for him to take with him and give him a little outlet. We knew they were seeing things, but this…”
Osuchukwu’s father called Garriz in November to talk about the situation, and only showed up again when bringing the surprising news about the teenager.
“He told me that the boy was without a team, trying out for different clubs. Until a month ago he called me and told me: ‘Mikel, Darlington has signed for Manchester United’.”
The club president pointed out the great potential that Osuchukwu had already shown in Spain, but still couldn’t hide how surprising it was that Manchester United signed him so early in his career.
“He’d been in the Navarrese team, and a great goalkeeper. For the years he had, he has always been very tall and physically strong, he’s 13 years old and he’s already 1.80m. An animal is made.”
“We’re super happy. We always saw that he had qualities, Osasuna was interested in him, but then, that United go and sign him, unthinkable.”
