Manchester City complete signing of Championship centre-back talent | OneFootball

Premier League champions Manchester City have successfully raided one Championship club for one of their finest rising talents.

It is the latest recruitment job completed with a focus on the Academy system at Manchester City, as Etihad Stadium staff look to equip themselves for life beyond their current crop of world-beating stars.

This week has seen City complete the relevant medical testing and transfer formalities of former West Ham striker Divin Mubama, who is being viewed as a developing talent to train with the first-team squad but largely feature for the Elite Development Squad.

Mubama could then head out on a loan deal away from Manchester City to ensure his development in senior men’s football continues after a breakthrough campaign with the Hammers last season.

Now, Manchester City’s attentions have turned to the second-tier of English football for their latest recruitment drive, attracting the services of an England youth international defender to progress his career within the City Football Academy.

As first revealed by The Secret Scout this week, Manchester City have now completed the signing of 2009-born centre-back talent, Marlow Barrett from Championship side Coventry City.

Information first provided by transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano revealed in early July that City were working on the new arrival for their Academy system, having beaten ‘several’ top Premier League clubs to Barrett.

Barrett was selected to represent England’s Under-15 squad earlier this year, with his secondary school posting a statement to their media channels marking the occasion.

The statement read, “Huge congratulations to Marlow Barrett, Year 9 who has been selected to represent England in the Under 15 football team. He will play against Scotland on the 16th February and Belgium on the 19th of February. Well done Marlow!”

Reports closer to the Championship club have highlighted their absence of surprise when it comes to the deal, and not solely due to it being a reflection of the potential shown off by the youngster in recent years.

It is highlighted within one report that young talents are handed ‘enhanced prospects’ when joining Category One academies – such as Manchester City’s – compared to Category Two set-ups – which Coventry City’s academy is.