Manchester United are set to complete the signing of Colombian defensive midfielder Cristian Orozco, with the 17-year-old traveling to England on Sunday to undergo his medical and put pen to paper on a formal agreement.
The deal, worth $1M, brings Orozco from Colombian club Fortaleza CEIF to Old Trafford, completing a process that actually started back in September 2025 when the two clubs first reached a preliminary agreement.
Why it took this long
Orozco was born on July 13, 2008, meaning he turns 18 in July 2026. That birthday is the key date. FIFA rules generally prohibit international transfers of players under 18, so United had to agree the deal in September 2025 and then simply wait.
With Orozco now approaching that milestone birthday, the club has moved quickly to get the medical completed and the signing formalized before the 2026/27 season gets underway.
