Ineos’ youth recruitment that gathered pace this season with the signing of Cristian Orozco and now Mouhamed Dabo on trial has received an official update.
Mouhamed Dabo was on trial with Man Utd for the last few months, which coincided with Cristian Orozco’s signing at Old Trafford.
Dabo made a good impression on people at Carrington, and much like Orozco, he was standing out in the recently concluded FIFA U17 World Cup.
Dabo’s next club is now confirmed after he reportedly made good strides with Man Utd on trial at Carrington.
Mouhamed Dabo of Senegal is challenged by Thiago Cordero of Costa Rica during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup match between Senegal and Costa Rica at Aspire Academy on November 06, 2025
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Mouhamed Dabo makes official career move
Coming from Senegal, the first step into European football was always going to be crucial, and Dabo has made a pretty curious decision.
Despite, by all accounts, impressing at Man Utd, and on the back of a profile-raising U17 World Cup, he has chosen to join a side in the Croatian Second Division.
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NK Kustosija have confirmed that Dabo has joined the club and will arrive on July 1, 2026, to officially begin his spell.
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They said on Instagram, “One of the most talented midfielders of his generation and the captain of Senegal’s U-17 national team – Mouhamed Dabo – has signed a long-term contract with NK Kustošija!
“The 17-year-old Senegalese midfielder, who has been pursued by numerous global giants, grew up at the Be Sport Football Academy in Dakar, where he already became a regular first-team player. He will arrive in Kustošija on July 1st next year!”
Dabo’s decision will have Man Utd fans rolling their eyes
Nobody is mistaking Man Utd to be the holy grail for youth development, but for a youngster to impress on trial at the club and sign with a Croatian Second Division team is curious, to say the least.
Man Utd fans were excited at the prospect of signing two leaders in Dabo and Orozco, who are captains of their respective nations at the U17 level.
While Orozco is already making waves ahead of his arrival next year, Dabo has made an interesting decision that will have Man Utd fans rolling their eyes.
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Further details should emerge in due course about what happened during the time Dabo was impressing people at Carrington, and his eventual signing with a Croatian Second Division side.
Ultimately, he could have taken a footballing decision as well, betting on himself to become a crucial player for his first European team right away, which he wouldn’t have achieved at United.
This will surely be an interesting thread to follow as more details emerge because the news comes totally out of left field, considering the developments that preceded it.