Transfer Market: Man. United Confirms Signing Agreed Under Ruben Amorim

Manchester United has confirmed the signing of 18-year-old midfielder Cristian Orozco. The deal with Colombian club Fortaleza CIEF was initially agreed upon last year, during Ruben Amorim's tenure at the start of the 2025/26 season. The player had to wait until his 18th birthday to officially join the club.

A Colombia U-17 international, Orozco joins the Red Devils for a fee of €850,000. The defensive midfielder had already featured for Fortaleza CIEF's senior team and will initially integrate into United's academy, with expectations of a swift promotion to the first team.

News of this acquisition first surfaced in September of last year. Hailed as a promising talent in Colombian football, it was already anticipated that Orozco could feature in Ruben Amorim's plans, though Amorim was ultimately dismissed in January.

The team, now managed by Michael Carrick, has heavily invested in its midfield this summer, bringing in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans for a combined €97 million. With Casemiro's departure and Manuel Ugarte's long-term injury, United's urgent need to bolster this area of the squad has been evident.

Last year, Orozco commented on his impending move to United, exuding significant self-assurance.

"I know my strengths are my physical and technical abilities. I possess these qualities, and with the gift God has given me, I don't believe it will be too difficult to play in Europe. But it all comes down to adaptation. I'm very young, and that's what I'll have to do," he told ESPN Colombia at the time.