Nearly five years ago, Manchester United appeared to be in the driving seat to sign Moises Caicedo from Independiente del Valle after unearthing the Ecuadorian midfield prodigy.
However, the club’s hierarchy showed reluctance to get the deal over the line. Eventually, Brighton & Hove Albion snapped him up for £4 million, and two-and-a-half years later, they sold him to Chelsea for a then British record £115m.
After taking over the football operations at Old Trafford, Sir Jim Ratcliffe underlined that he wants United to sign up-and-coming talents. Since then, the Red Devils have aggressively tried to add exciting prospects to their ranks and avoid the repeat of the Caicedo fiasco. In that regard, Cristian Orozco perfectly fits the bill.
Paperwork signed for Cristian Orozco transfer
Early this week, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming United have reached an agreement with Fortaleza CEIF to sign their 17-year-old midfielder.
Now, Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra, who first broke the story, claims the documentation for the Colombia U17 international’s transfer to United has been signed.
Sierra reveals that Orozco will travel to England next year in July, after turning 18. That is when United will officially present their latest signing.
Further, it is claimed that Giuseppe Antonaccio, United’s lead scout for South America, has played a key role in this move. It was Antonaccio who discovered the midfielder, known for his physicality, tireless running, and astute reading of the game.
He also drove the deal and reached an agreement, reported to be worth in the region of £750,000. Orozco captains his country’s U17 side, and only joined Fortaleza from Rojo FC earlier this year. Considering his rapid rise, the deal appears to be a bargain for United.
Ex-Juventus man drove United’s pursuit of South American prospects
Antonaccio, who previously worked as a scout at Serie A giants Juventus, also convinced United to sign Diego Leon from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Antonaccio “pushed for Leon as talent” and convinced Jason Wilcox to seal the deal, believed to be worth around £6m, including add-ons.
United struck a pre-agreement with Porteño in January and completed the signing this summer after the highly-rated full-back turned 18.
Leon has been named in United’s matchday squad twice this term, but the Paraguayan left wing-back is yet to be handed a senior debut by Ruben Amorim.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Vishal Singh
Vishal has worked in the football media industry for over six years, planning, writing, and editing content for several major outlets. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person, he covers Manchester United — a club he has been religiously following and supporting since 2012. Big fan of ball-playing centre-backs and Harry Maguire’s knee-slide celebration!
