Louie Bradbury scored a hat-trick on his Stoke City debut less than 24 hours after leaving Manchester United. The 17-year-old striker was thrust straight into Stoke's starting line-up for their Under-18 Premier League fixture against Manchester City on Saturday morning.
Thirteen-goal thriller
Stoke confirmed Bradbury's arrival on Friday, with the striker penning a two-year professional contract including an option for a third season. The Potters' under-18s then played out an extraordinary 13-goal encounter against Manchester City, which Stoke lost 8-5.
City stormed into a four-goal advantage within 32 minutes, before Bradbury pulled one back for the hosts. The visitors then added three further goals either side of half-time to establish a commanding 7-1 lead on the hour mark.
Stoke fightback falls short
Incredibly, Stoke fought back to 7-5, with Bradbury completing his hat-trick, before City added a late eighth goal. Dexter Oliver and Timeo Whisker both netted hat-tricks for City, while Teddie Lamb bagged a brace on an extraordinary afternoon for strikers.
For Bradbury, it marked an impressive individual debut display. The teenager, who has represented Wales at youth international level, spent four years with United and featured for their Under-21s side, finding the net 10 times in 26 outings.
United youth exit
This season he has turned out for United's Under-18s and found the net in a 3-0 triumph over Everton, just days prior to his switch to the Potters. The forward also represented Wales Under-19s this summer, making substitute appearances against Denmark and Spain.
Bradbury marks the latest exit from United's youth set-up following Gabriele Biancheri's departure to Austrian second-tier outfit FC Wacker Innsbruck.
