Manchester United complete academy signing of Karim Cassim from Manchester City

Manchester United have formally announced the signing of teenage midfielder Karim Cassim from Manchester City, completing a cross-city academy transfer that had been anticipated since the 16-year-old was spotted on United’s Under-18 bench during a game against Charlton in August.

The club confirmed the deal on Thursday, photographing Cassim at Old Trafford alongside Stephen Torpey, head of the academy. In their official statement, United described the 17-year-old as an “exciting youngster” and noted that he had been part of the City side that lifted the FA Youth Cup last season.

“The England youth international has joined after leaving Manchester City,” the statement read. “On the international front, the central midfielder has been capped up to England’s Under-17s. Everyone at the club would like to welcome Karim to United and we wish him the very best of luck.”

The Manchester Evening News had previously reported that United expected no difficulties securing Premier League ratification for the move, and that approval has now been granted.

Cassim is not the only arrival expected at United’s academy in the near future. The club are also set to announce the signing of Isaac Konde from Liverpool, pending Premier League ratification, having already received approval for the signing of David Eze from Manchester City.

United’s academy recruitment has been shaped significantly by post-Brexit regulations, which largely restrict the club to sourcing players from within the United Kingdom. That constraint has driven a deliberate strategy of targeting talent at rival domestic clubs, with City and Liverpool both now contributing players to United’s development setup in the current window.