Roles reversed as Reds raid Antwerp

Over the past decade we’ve become accustomed to United youngsters making the (albeit temporary) switch to the Reds’ Belgian affiliate club Royal Antwerp, but 15 year-old RAFC starlet Charni Ekangamene is set to become the first player to move in the opposite direction.

Antwerp’s official site announced yesterday that Ekangamene had travelled to Manchester with youth coach Alex Verveckken and club secretary Paul Bistiaux to sign a pre-contract agreement which will see him join the Reds when he turns 16. It is not the teenager’s first trip to Manchester, his performances on two trial visits to Carrington earlier in the season having played a big part in United’s decision to tie up a deal for the youngster and fend off the interest of Dutch giants Ajax.

Speaking to HNB, Vervecken said “He is a great talent. He is mentally strong and is never nervous.”

Only recently 15, the young attacker (differing reports label him as either an attacking midfielder or forward) is of Congolese descent, invoking memories of another Belgian-Congolese starlet who came through the ranks at Old Trafford a few years ago, midfielder Floribert N’Galula. Hopefully Ekangamene is somewhat more fortunate with regards to injuries than the unfortunate N’Galula, who is now playing his football with Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam.