Manchester United have announced the signing of young goalkeeper Kit Margetson on a free transfer after his contract at Swansea City expired at the end of last season. The Championship club will receive a compensation fee for his development as he had been with them since Under-15 level.
Joining the youth ranks
Margetson, 20, will initially join United's U21 team with a view to pushing for first-team opportunities. The senior goalkeeper department currently includes Senne Lammens, Karl Darlow, and Tom Heaton. United signed Darlow from Leeds United this summer to serve as second-choice goalkeeper.
The club's announcement read: "Manchester United have agreed the signing of exciting young goalkeeper Kit Margetson, subject to registration. The 20-year-old was most recently at Swansea City, a club he’d been with since under-15s. Last season, he had his first taste of senior football on loan at Connah's Quay Nomads and kept 10 clean sheets in 34 appearances, helping the Welsh side to qualify for European competition."
International experience and future moves
Margetson has earned youth international caps for Wales and made his Under-21s debut against Belarus in March. Everyone at United welcomed him and wished him luck.
United are expected to sell Radek Vitek after his successful loan in the Championship with Bristol City. Vitek wants regular football, and United will insist on sell-on clauses, potentially including a buy-back, in any sale. Altay Bayindir is also set to leave Old Trafford after being given an extended post-World Cup break.
The signings of Margetson and Charlie Hardy (16) at academy level point to departures from the current goalkeeper union at youth level.
