Manchester United academy winger Sam Mather has left the club to join Turkish side Kayserispor, with Shea Lacey among those to send him support on social media
Sam Mather
Sam Mather has confirmed his Man United departure.(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
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Manchester United winger Sam Mather has left the club after 14 years, announcing his exit in an emotional social media post. The 21-year-old was flooded with support from his team-mates after the decision.
Mather is set to join Turkish club Kayserispor for an undisclosed fee, as the Manchester Evening News reported last week. The Englishman will depart his home nation only a matter of months after a deal to join Kayserispor in the summer collapsed at the eleventh hour.
The forward didn't earn a first-team appearance for United during his time at the club but had loan spells with Rochdale and Tranmere Rovers, while he was apart of the FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2022.
Mather chronicled his time at the club, displaying wholesome pictures of signing his contracts and in action for the club in a post to Instagram. In the caption, he said: "After 14 years my time at @manutd has come to an end, I would like to thank all the staff and players who have helped me become the person and player I am today.
"I will always be grateful for my time here and wish the club all the best.
"On a personal note it's time for me to move forward and I can't wait to get started!"
Despite having another 18 months on his contract, the 21-year-old wants to compete in a professional environment and as a result, has decided to leave his boyhood club in favour of a fresh challenge.
After missing out on a summer exit, Mather has taken part in first-team training sessions at Carrington this season. The youngster has made six appearances in academy fixtures to maintain match fitness.
Shea Lacey, who has emerged as the latest academy graduate to make their first-team bow, was among those who offered their best wishes to the winger.
The 18-year-old said: "Good luck my brother all the best."
Chido Obi-Martin also featured in the comments alongside Toby Collyer, Harry Amass and former academy graduate Shola Shoretire among others.
Mather had interest from Turkey, Germany and Greece ahead of the January transfer window, while other outlets claim there were suitors from America's Major League Soccer too.
As part of his move to Turkey, a fee and buyback clause have been agreed and installed in the deal.
Kayserispor sit 16th in the Turkish Super Lig table, inside the relegation zone on goal difference. One of Mather's first games could be against the nation's giants, Besiktas, on January 19.
Mather will be among the few foreign players within the squad but isn't alone as an Englishman in the region.
Former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham leads the line for Besiktas while Dan Agyei and Archie Brown turn out for Kocaelispor and Fenerbahce respectively.