Wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin completes Manchester United transfer amid Eric Cantona link

Manchester United have received Premier League approval for the signing of Chido Obi-Martin.

The Manchester Evening News reported on Thursday that ratification of Obi-Martin's move to United was imminent and the deal has now been officially rubber-stamped. United struck a deal to sign the prolific youth striker from Arsenal in July and the 16-year-old has since been forced to train away from Carrington while he awaited approval.

Now that has been received, Obi-Martin will be officially unveiled as a United player and is expected to play between the Under-18 and Under-21 sides.

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He will be gradually eased into his new environment and a source said 'he will need time and patience' following a spell out of the game while United waited for the Premier League to ratify the deal, with Obi-Martin training on his own with a private coach during that time.

It's also understood United's head of the academy Nick Cox and the head of academy recruitment Luke Fedorenko are responsible for the deal to sign Obi-Martin. The transfer is considered as a significant coup by United and the club believe he has first-team potential.

The work of Cox and Fedorenko has finally got the deal for Obi-Martin, who scored 29 goals in 17 league matches for Arsenal's Under-18s last season, over the line.

Denmark-born Obi-Martin joined Arsenal from Danish team KB in 2022 and went from strength to strength last season, notably scoring 10 goals in a single game against Liverpool. He has been a youth international for Denmark and England, but represented the former in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification campaign this year.

The youngster shared a photo of himself with United legend Eric Cantona on Friday and he was persuaded to move to Manchester, despite receiving other offers in Europe. Obi-Martin will celebrate his 17th birthday in November - the age when professional contracts can be signed.

United are always on the lookout to add the best-emerging talent to their academy and completing a deal for Obi-Martin, who is regarded as one the most exciting young talents in Europe, is a further signal of the club's intent to continue to be best-in-class in youth football.

United's academy has enjoyed a renaissance after a period of underachieving and Cox's appointment as head of academy in 2019 was a key moment. He has helped return the academy to the forefront of youth development and is a hugely valued staff member.

Fedorenko was promoted to head of academy recruitment as part of a restructure last August and he's worked his way up after initially joining as lead scout for Under-9s to Under-11s.