Manchester United are set to formally announce the signing of Cristian Orozco once his transfer is completed next week. The club are closing in on finalising moves for Andrey Santos and Karl Darlow, who will also be unveiled this month, and Orozco's arrival will be announced alongside them. While Santos and Darlow represent first-team acquisitions, Orozco will link up with the Under-21s as he settles into life in Manchester.
The youngster turns 18 on Monday, at which point United can officially register him as a player. He has already touched down in England to acclimatise and prepare himself ahead of the new week. Orozco was welcomed to Manchester back in December, where he was given a tour of Carrington and Old Trafford, with his visit also including a taste of training alongside United's academy sides.
The defensive midfielder played a key role in helping Colombia reach the final of the U17 South American Championship last year and has been earmarked as an exciting prospect with the potential to make an impact at first-team level.
Orozco arrives at Old Trafford with a comparable profile to Sekou Kone, who joined the academy from Malian club Guidars FC for around £1million during the summer transfer window of 2024.
Kone caught the eye of United's scouts during Mali's campaign at the Under-17 World Cup prior to his move. Similarly, Orozco's standout displays at the U17 South American Championship were instrumental in alerting United to his talents.
In recent years, United have broadened their academy recruitment network beyond Europe, a necessity brought about by post-Brexit regulations that prevent them from signing European players.
Free agent keeper Darlow, meanwhile, will join as back-up to No.1 Senne Lammens. The 35-year-old left Leeds United at the end of last month.
While Brazil midfielder Santos, 22, is set to cost the Red Devils around £50million as he joins from Chelsea after joining the Blues in January 2023.