Habeeb Ogunneye has bid farewell to Manchester United as the 20-year-old defender moves closer to joining Arsenal on a free transfer.
Ogunneye spent five years in Manchester United’s academy and is now preparing for what appears to be the next stage of his career. His departure is expected to include a significant sell-on clause that would give United a financial interest in any future transfer.
The right-back confirmed his exit in an emotional social media post, sharing photographs from his time at the club. He thanked United for the memories and the people he encountered during his five years at Old Trafford before signalling his move into a new chapter.
Ogunneye wrote: “5 years. What a journey. Forever grateful for the memories, the people and everything this club has given me. Time for the next chapter.”
The defender has already gained experience outside academy football. He spent part of last season on loan at Newport County, making 21 appearances for the League Two side before Manchester United recalled him in January.
He also came close to first-team involvement at United, featuring on the bench for the FA Cup fifth-round meeting with Nottingham Forest in 2024 and the semi-final against Coventry City at Wembley.
Arsenal are understood to have completed medical checks ahead of the move, although the transfer had not been officially announced at the time of the report. Ogunneye’s farewell message, however, has strengthened expectations that the deal is close.
The potential move is part of Arsenal’s wider recruitment of young players. The club are also reportedly closing in on Blackburn Rovers forward Igor Tyjon, with a deal understood to involve an initial £1 million fee and up to another £2 million in add-ons.
