United farm out African youngster
By Alan Nixon
Manchester United have set up their second 'signing' of the summer - although he won't play in the Premiership for at least 12 months.
Gambian striker Arthur Gomez impressed at United last season when on trial and scored five goals in a practice game at Carrington.
Now United's feeder club, Royal Antwerp in Belgium, have signed Gomez from his club, Hawks, ensuring the teenager will be groomed with them for a season or so before heading for Old Trafford.
It is the first time United have found a player through the system they set up three years ago. Previously, Antwerp had been a place to give fringe players like Luke Chadwick experience. Gomez's signing 'brands' him for United and means they can take him, once he meets work permit regulations.
Gomez is already a member of Gambia's African Nations' Cup squad and should gain enough caps in the next year to be eligible to join United next summer.
Antwerp general manager Paul Bistiaux said: 'Gomez is as much United's player as ours. It will benefit all three sides - him, us and them.
'There has been a considerable amount of money paid for him. He is not a Rio Ferdinand buy but it is not possible to get players from Africa cheaply any more.'
By Alan Nixon
Manchester United have set up their second 'signing' of the summer - although he won't play in the Premiership for at least 12 months.
Gambian striker Arthur Gomez impressed at United last season when on trial and scored five goals in a practice game at Carrington.
Now United's feeder club, Royal Antwerp in Belgium, have signed Gomez from his club, Hawks, ensuring the teenager will be groomed with them for a season or so before heading for Old Trafford.
It is the first time United have found a player through the system they set up three years ago. Previously, Antwerp had been a place to give fringe players like Luke Chadwick experience. Gomez's signing 'brands' him for United and means they can take him, once he meets work permit regulations.
Gomez is already a member of Gambia's African Nations' Cup squad and should gain enough caps in the next year to be eligible to join United next summer.
Antwerp general manager Paul Bistiaux said: 'Gomez is as much United's player as ours. It will benefit all three sides - him, us and them.
'There has been a considerable amount of money paid for him. He is not a Rio Ferdinand buy but it is not possible to get players from Africa cheaply any more.'