Manchester City finalise transfer of new striker over the weekend – Brexit rules to prevent immediate switch | OneFootball

Premier League champions Manchester City have secured their latest rising prospect to be developed within their esteemed Academy system, according to reports.

That concerns the future of teenage talent Michael Noonan of St Patrick’s Athletic, whose progress has been closely tracked by Manchester City and other major clubs from within the English and wider European game.

Such is the talent of the player that Noonan has already made his league debut for the Saints against Bohemians earlier this month, whilst also scoring three goals to help win the Leinster Senior Cup two weeks ago.

It will be the next big step in Noonan’s rapidly rising career as he makes the switch to the Premier League champions, having joined St Pats’ Under-14 side from Ballyoulster United in 2022 before progressing through the club’s Under-15, Under-17 and Under-20 sides.

But a deal will not be finalised and completed to indicate an immediate transfer to English football, despite documentation being penned over the course of the most recent weekend, according to reports.

As per the information of the Irish Independent’s Sean O’Connor, St Patrick’s Athletic and Republic of Ireland Under-17 striker, Michael Noonan travelled to Manchester City over the weekend to finalise a move to the club.

With Brexit rules preventing Irish players signing for UK clubs until they turn 18, the report explains that the 16-year-old is set to sign a pre-contract agreement with Manchester City, who have been closely tracking his progress alongside other big clubs.

Manchester City are no strangers to recruiting from the League of Ireland, having secured the talents of international goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu for a fee of €400,000 in 2018, before the player went on to make a career with fellow Premier League side, Southampton.

The arrival of Noonan also becomes the latest of several young talents from across the globe putting their respective futures into the hands of Manchester City’s coaches, with Claudio Echeverri among those making a move to the club in the coming weeks and months.

Elsewhere and Manchester City also have one eye on New York City FC’s exciting left-back talent, Christian McFarlane, with several reports indicating that an agreement over a move to the Etihad Stadium could be imminent.