Manchester United have completed a double signing of 16-year-old midfielders Karim Cassim and David Eze from rival Manchester City’s academy, a move that underscores how talent acquisition in professional football increasingly mirrors the competitive dynamics of crypto ecosystems, where protocols routinely poach developers, researchers, and community leaders from rivals.
The signings are part of United’s revamped youth recruitment strategy under INEOS ownership, which has prioritized building from the ground up rather than splashing nine-figure sums on established stars.
The details of the deal
Cassim, born September 12, 2009, is a versatile central midfielder who has already represented England at the U17 level. He scored three goals for Manchester City’s U18 side last season, a notable output for a player operating in central midfield at that age group.
Eze, born March 8, 2010, plays as a defensive midfielder and is widely regarded as one of the brightest talents in his age group across England. Both players were part of City’s U18 setup, which makes their cross-city defection all the more significant.
