Manchester United have agreed terms to sign goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer following his departure from Leeds United, multiple sources confirmed on Thursday evening. Fabrizio Romano issued his ‘here we go’ confirmation, while The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell reported the deal was close, describing the move as ‘rare’ due to the historical rivalry between the two clubs.
Darlow, 35, will provide cover for Senne Lammens, with Altay Bayindir expected to leave Old Trafford. Andre Onana is currently on loan at Trabzonspor, further necessitating the addition of a dependable backup.
Darlow recently became a free agent after his contract with Leeds United expired on June 30th. Leeds had reportedly offered him a new deal, but the Wales international has opted to join their rivals instead. He made 100 appearances for Nottingham Forest before joining Newcastle United in 2017, and spent time on loan at Hull City before joining Leeds in 2023.
The signing of Darlow comes alongside the expected £50 million transfer of Andrey Santos from Chelsea, who was granted permission to undergo a medical on Thursday. There remains some uncertainty surrounding the potential arrival of Ederson, with United awaiting the results of the second part of his medical assessment. The double signing addresses immediate needs in the goalkeeping department and midfield, strengthening Erik ten Hag’s squad ahead of the new season. This acquisition provides a cost-effective and experienced option between the posts, ensuring adequate depth for the Premier League campaign.
