Manchester United have recruited Silva Mexes, the son of former Wales and Cardiff City international Robert Earnshaw, aged 14.
The youngster joins from Ipswich Town amid rumours that a number of other Premier League clubs were after his signature. “The work starts now,” the teenager said on social media, confirming his switch.
Alongside a photograph of him holding up a number seven shirt with his name emblazoned on the back, he also wrote: “Very proud moment for me and my family to announce my signing for Manchester United. Thank you for everyone who has helped me on my journey so far.”
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His father, Earnshaw, played at Old Trafford twice during his career and scored for West Brom in a 1-1 draw there in May 2005. That was the only result he managed to earn in four matches against United.
The move for son Mexes comes at a time when former United coach Kieran McKenna is at the helm of Ipswich. The 38-year-old seems to be set to stay at the Tractor Boys amid fresh contract speculation despite links with Chelsea and Old Trafford.
McKenna oversaw United’s under-18s between 2016 and 2018, guiding them to a youth league title, before being promoted to first-team coach under Jose Mourinho and stayed on under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
United handed out debuts to four academy products this season, with Ethan Wheatley becoming the 250th player to make the transition from academy to first-team during April’s 4-2 win over Sheffield United.
Dan Gore, Willy Kambwala and Omari Forson preceded Wheatley’s bow during the last campaign. Academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, meanwhile, scored the winning goals in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Mexes joins fellow highly-rated Welsh prospect Gabriele Biancheri, born in September 2006, in the United academy having arrived from Cardiff almost 18 months ago. Elsewhere, United saw 17-year-old James Scanlon, a Gibraltar international, ink his first professional contract last week.
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