English Premier League side Manchester United have reportedly signed Northern Ireland Under 17 side captain Luke McCollough on a two year scholarship contract.

The 16 year old was said to be over the moon at news of having been signed by the club, although he admitted that he was actually a Liverpool supporter.

“It’s any boy’s dream to get any club across the water but to get United, it’s an added bonus,” said the young captain.

The Portadown-born centre back has captained his country at a variety of levels in the past and added that:

"The facilities [at Manchester United] were first class and the standard of player was better than anywhere else I visited. I'll just have to forget about it [Liverpool] for now.

The young centre-half will be joined at United next season by another Irish recruit, 16 year-old Donegal goalkeeper Joe Coll, who signed scholarship forms back in March.

The 16 year old admits that Manchester United defender Johnny Evans is his role model.