Official: United academy graduate who scored four goals vs Liverpool seals permanent switch away

Manchester United striker Joe Hugill has departed the club. Complicated loans Hugill joined Manchester United’s youth team from Sunderland in 2020. He signed a new deal at the club in 2021 and went on loan to Altrincham in 2023. His biggest highlight at the club was scoring four goals against Liverpool in a youth match in 2021. Hugill has also spent time on loan at Burton Albion, Wigan Athletic, and Carlisle United over recent seasons. In the summer, he joined Barnet on loan but returned to Carrington earlier this month after failing to assert himself as a first-team regular in League Two. There has now been definitive clarity on his Manchester United future. Permanent move to Kilmarnock Manchester United’s official website has reported that, “Manchester United Academy forward Joe Hugill has completed a permanent transfer to Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock, subject to registration.” The website further added that he “is now set to begin a new chapter by heading to Kilmarnock, where former Scotland international Neil McCann has recently taken charge. Everyone at United would like to thank Joe for his efforts over the last five-and-a-half years and wish him the best of luck for the future.” ℹ️ Academy graduate Joe Hugill has joined Kilmarnock on a permanent deal. Best of luck north of the border, Joe — we are proud to have played a part in your journey 👊 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 30, 2026 The Kilmarnock website also welcomed the striker officially to the club. They announced to their fans, “we are pleased to confirm the signing of English striker Joe Hugill from Manchester United on a permanent deal until May 2027, pending international clearance.” To excite their supporters, they also claimed, “during his time with United’s academy he impressed with prolific goal-scoring and earned a reputation as a promising young striker.” 4️⃣4️⃣ pic.twitter.com/icwuAnOYwU — Kilmarnock FC (@KilmarnockFC) January 30, 2026 Kilmarnock are currently 11th in the Scottish Premiership, and Hugill may have the chance to make his debut at home to Aberdeen later on this afternoon at BBSP Rugby Park. The striker has scored 11 senior goals in 78 matches, with his spell at Wigan being his most productive in 2024. Joe Hugill career stats ClubMatches playedGoals scoredSeason Man United002020-2026 Altrincham (loan)1012023 Burton (loan)1812023-2024 Wigan (loan)1852024 Carlisle (loan)1722024-2025 Barnet (loan)602025-26 The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.