Manchester United have reached an agreement to extend Tom Heaton's contract by a further year, according to reports. The 39-year-old goalkeeper, who has made only three appearances for the club in four seasons, is seen as a highly valued member of the goalkeeping group and wider squad.
Heaton's current deal is set to expire at the end of the month, but the parties are expected to finalise the extension in the coming days. The club confirmed on Monday that they were in talks with the veteran shot-stopper over a fresh deal.
The news comes after United announced the departures of senior stars Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof at the close of their contracts this summer. Additionally, academy players Hubert Graczyk, Jack Kingdon, Sam Murray, Tom Myles, James Nolan and Tom Wooster have been released.
Heaton is in his second spell at Old Trafford, having come through the club's academy. He had loan spells at Swindon Town, Royal Antwerp, Cardiff City, Queen's Park Rangers, Rochdale and Wycombe Wanderers before leaving to join Cardiff in 2010. He made his name at Burnley between 2013 and 2019, making 200 appearances, before returning to United in 2021 after a two-season stint at Aston Villa.
A coaching role has been mooted for the former Burnley star as a long-term option, but for now his services are deemed necessary in a goalkeeping group that includes Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir. Last summer, Heaton was called up by England boss Gareth Southgate to serve as a training goalkeeper during Euro 2024.
Speaking after extending his deal last July, Heaton said: "I am delighted to continue my stay at my boyhood club. I still feel in great shape and I am ready to offer whatever the squad needs throughout the season ahead."
