Michael Carrick and Edin Terzic on the sidelines at Man United and Atheltic Bilbao respectively

A Man United academy star is set to join Athletic BilbaoImago

Sources: Man United product Darlington Osuchukwu agrees to join giants

Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.

Published on:

17 Jul 2026, 1:05 pm

Darlington Osuchukwu has signed for Atheltic Bilbao following his departure from Man United, sources have told Football Insider.

The 16-year-old opted to leave Old Trafford upon the expiry of his contract on 30 June and has now made the move to the La Liga club in search of a clearer pathway to senior football.

Bilbao have now seen off rival interest from the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Lille, Anderlecht and FC Copenhagen to land the talented goalkeeper this summer.

The La Liga club's illustrious history of developing academy players and goalkeepers were the determining factor in Osuchukwu choosing them over his other suitors.

Bilbao see the teenager as their future number one and have high hopes of his development as they aim to fast-track his progress after pulling off his signing.

Osuchukwu has dual nationality with England, but was born in Spain and has featured six times for their Under-17s, and has now agreed to make a return to his home country.

Why has Darlington Osuchukwu joined Athletic Bilbao?

Football Insider revealed last month that Osuchukwu was set to leave Man United and had attracted high profile interest from Europe's top clubs including Barcelona.

Ultimately, he opted to depart Old Trafford in search of a clearer pathway to first-team football, and believed Athletic Bilbao is the ideal club to match his ambitions.

The La Liga outfit are famed for only signing players from the Basque region of Spain, and Osuchukwu qualifies after playing for youth club Gazte Berriak before his move to Manchester.

They also provide academy players with early opportunities in the first-team, with 16 academy products currently involed in their senior squad.

Bilbao have also produced a number of top-level goalkeepers including the likes of Unai Simon, Kepa Arrizabalaga and the legendary "El Chopo" Jose Angel Iribar.

Osuchukwu is now hopeful of following in the footsteps of those big names, and the club's record of producing talented goalkeepers played a key part in his decision.

Sources: Darlington Usochukwu to leave Man United, he could join Barcelona

Man United set sights on deal to sign Crystal Palace sensation Lucca Benetton

Man United set sights on teenage goalkeeper after Osuchukwu exit

Losing Osuchukwu on a free transfer came as a blow to Man United at the end of last season, but they are already working to identify talented players at youth level.

Football Insider exclusively revealed in May that Man United are interested in signing Crystal Palace's Lucca Benetton, who has shone at Under-18s level.

Benetton, 15, is very highly rated within the corridors of power at Selhurst Park and has already trained with the first-team squad at Crystal Palace.

The talented goalkeeper has already made the step up to play for the Under-18s and helped Palace win the Under-18 Premier League Cup against Man United last season.

Having also represented England's Under-17s side, Benetton's huge potential has alerted a number of clubs including big admirers PSV and Club Brugge.

Football Club Copenhagen