Manchester United wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin signs first professional contract

Manchester United youngster Chido Obi-Martin's professional contract began on Friday.

Only the most highly-regarded prospects in the academy are given professional terms when they turn 17 - the age when you can sign a pro deal - and Obi-Martin's contract has commenced.

Obi-Martin signed a scholarship with an agreement for his professional contract to begin when he celebrated his birthday and such deals are reasonably common in academy transfers.

Nonetheless, there is particular excitement around Obi-Martin and the official triggering of his professional contract marks an important milestone for the youngster, whose move from Arsenal in the summer window was seen as a significant coup due to his high potential.

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United's head of the academy Nick Cox and the head of academy recruitment Luke Fedorenko were responsible for the deal to sign Obi-Martin, who turned down an offer to stay at Arsenal.

The 17-year-old has scored four goals in two starts in the U18 Premier League this term, which includes a special hat-trick that was scored when he made his debut for United.

United's coaches will be challenged with keeping Obi-Martin's feet on the ground as he progresses as the youngster has a huge profile and more than 300,000 followers on Instagram.

The club's academy prides itself on developing outstanding talents and good young people, and Obi-Martin is in the right place to progress to a potential first-team debut down the line.

United are always on the lookout to add the best-emerging talent to their academy and completing a deal for Obi-Martin, who is regarded as one the most exciting young talents in Europe, was a further signal of the club's intent to continue to be best-in-class in youth football.

Denmark-born Obi-Martin joined Arsenal from Danish team KB in 2022 and went from strength to strength last season, notably scoring 10 goals in a single game against Liverpool.

He has been a youth international for Denmark and England, but represented the former in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification campaign earlier this year.

Obi-Martin also represented Denmark's Under-18s during the last international break.