McGinty signing confirmed

As we told you earlier today, United have completed the signing of Charlton academy centre-half Sean McGinty, with both clubs now confirming the transfer.

Statements on both club websites confirmed that while the Republic of Ireland U17 international had been offered scholarship terms by the South London club, the 15 year-old had opted to move to Old Trafford this summer. Both sides also confirmed that an undisclosed compensation package has been confirmed, including future fees based on the player’s progress, despite United being under no obligation to do so.

Charlton football club chairman Richard Murray was quick to praise the Reds’ handling of the transfer, stating that “Manchester United have behaved entirely honourably throughout the process, and I’d like to thank them for that.”

Murray also went on to speak of the club’s disappointment at losing one of their most talented young prospects, but expressed an understanding of the young defender’s decision:

“To have a club like Manchester United tracking our youth players clearly shows the quality that our academy is currently producing.

“It also provides further evidence of the value of retaining our academy status, a decision the board made earlier this summer despite the club’s relegation to League One.

“Of course, nothing would have made us happier than Sean coming through the ranks and representing our first team, and our coaches had high hopes for him.

“We did our utmost to persuade him to stay, and offered scholarship terms similar to those which we gave Jonjo Shelvey at the same stage in his career.

“Of course, Jonjo’s progress over the last year or so, not to mention his impact on the first team, just shows what is possible at Charlton, and clearly illustrates our commitment to youth development.

“But equally, joining such a big Premier League club is obviously an attractive prospect, and Sean and his family made it clear that they wanted to move north to United.”

United Youth wishes Sean all the best at Manchester United.