Manchester United are set to sign youngster Charni
Ekangamene from feeder club Royal Antwerp on his 16th
birthday.
The rookie attacker is still only 15 but is earmarked for a
professional contract at Old Trafford after impressing during a
trial spell in Manchester.
Sir Alex Ferguson has often used the Belgian side to develop his
own youngsters, including Danny Higginbotham, Luke Chadwick, John
O'Shea and Darron Gibson, but is ready to reverse the trend.
After former Antwerp defender Ritchie De Laet joined United from
Stoke City in January, Belgian-Congolese kid Ekangamene looks on
his way to the European champions later this year, despite
rival interest from Ajax.
"He is a great talent," Antwerp's youth co-ordinator Alex
Vervecken told HNB.
"He is mentally strong and is never nervous."
Vervecken and club secretary Paul Bistiaux accompanied
the teenager on his initial trip to Manchester and a contract
is expected to be signed when he becomes eligible as
The Red Devils have been monitoring his progress carefully.
