Super Eagles-Eligible Fabiyi Signs Manchester United Deal
Manchester United have officially confirmed that Nigerian defender Idris Fabiyi is among 15 youngsters who have signed first-year scholarship contracts with the club for the 2026-2027 season.
The announcement was made during a ceremony held at Old Trafford’s Manchester Suite, with family, friends, and Academy staff in attendance. Former United and England defender Wes Brown, a graduate of the club’s youth system, addressed the gathering, speaking about his experiences coming through the ranks at his boyhood club. Academy director Stephen Torpey also addressed the new intake, telling them: “I feel privileged to carry the baton forward as the next custodian of this football club’s great Academy”.
Each of the 15 players received a shirt bearing their surname and the number 26 on the back, alongside an iconic Manchester United blazer and other commemorative items to mark the occasion.
Fabiyi, who is yet to make his U18 Premier League debut, will be hoping to do so next season after earning a promotion to Manchester United’s U18 side. In 2025, he was named in Manchester United’s squad for the prestigious SuperCupNI in Northern Ireland and was part of the side that lifted the U15 Premier League Floodlit Cup.
The promising defender follows Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, and Victor Osimhen on social media, a subtle hint that he could be open to representing Nigeria at international level.
As per Premier League rules, all players in their U17 year are required to start the 2026-2027 season on a scholarship agreement before they are permitted to sign a first professional contract on or after their 17th birthday.
The full list of first-year scholars includes Jaume Camacho Sidos (midfielder), Jacey Carrick (midfielder), Edson de Jonge-Seiros (forward), Harley Emsden-James (defender), Idris Fabiyi (defender), Jake Ford (goalkeeper), Gazimagamed Ibragimov (defender), Connor Laurie (defender), Harlem McLaughlin (midfielder), Camron Mpofu (forward), Jodie Nganga (midfielder), Samuel O’Brien (defender), Kai Rooney (forward), Pharell Silvester (midfielder), and Emmanuel Ziro (midfielder).
The squad is now embarking on a pre-season training camp in Germany at the adidas HQ in Herzogenaurach.