Manchester United have completed their first signing of the Mauricio Pochettino era, securing 16-year-old England youth international Tyler Adjei from Reading. The teenager was officially registered this week, before the incoming head coach has even begun his duties at Carrington.
Adjei joins Under-18s as centre-forward
Adjei arrives during a turbulent period for the club, which has seen Michael Carrick dismissed and Pochettino lined up as the new head coach. The former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss officially begins his tenure on 18 November, just days after the teenager's arrival.
The 16-year-old is set to join Darren Fletcher's Under-18s squad and has been brought in as a centre-forward. The highly-rated prospect was pursued by several rival top clubs before United secured his signature from the League One outfit.
A source told The Athletic: "He's got an athletic profile; he's got more to come physically. He moves well; he has a good temperament, mentality and demeanour. He has a good energy to train. He's got a way to go technically, as is the norm for a player of his age."
Adaptation and fitness ahead
The youngster is not yet at full fitness and will need time to adapt to life in Manchester now that the registration formalities between the two clubs have been completed.
Fletcher's Under-18s have enjoyed an impressive season so far. Following a commanding 6-0 thrashing of Burnley last month, the coach shared his footballing philosophy with MUTV.
"We play attacking football; I know it is in the club's identity and the DNA," Fletcher said. "We want to play fast, direct, attacking football, but there is a lot more controlled possession element; that is just the way football is going these days."
New addition among high-profile youngsters
Adjei becomes the newest addition to the Under-18 squad and will feature alongside high-profile youngsters, including Carrick's son, Jacey, and Kai Rooney, son of United icon Wayne Rooney. Every prospect at the club will be keeping a close eye on developments following Pochettino's arrival.
The Argentine made his name developing young players during his time at Spurs, with Dele Alli and, to an extent, Harry Kane among his most famous success stories.
