MANCHESTER UNITED have beaten their Premier League rivals to the signing of wonderkid James Overy.
United offered a scholarship deal to bring the starlet into their academy.
And according to Manchester Evening News, the transfer has now been wrapped up.
The 16-year-old left Perth Glory last year when his family moved to England.
He has since been playing for Newton Abbot Spurs’ first team in the English NINTH TIER.
But the right-back impressed during a pre-season friendly last summer against West Ham while playing for Perth at just 15.
The Hammers joined Everton and Leicester in tracking Overy, who is eligible to play for England and Australia.
But United won the race and the teenager is expected to feature for their Under-18s next season.
Scholarships are offered to young players and represent a milestone on the way to potentially being offered a pro contract that can be signed at 17.
Overy comes into a United setup still led by Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman kept his job with a contract extension now also in talks.
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Ten Hag told Dutch TV station NOS: “We had a good chat and several topics have been discussed.
“And we drew the conclusion that we continue with each other. But the conclusion is also that we’ll sit down to extend the contract.
“We have to come to an agreement. No, that’s done as easy as one-two-three, we need to discuss that.”
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
