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PAOK FC have reached verbal agreement to sign former Manchester United starlet Shola Shoretire

Greek Super League club PAOK have reached a verbal agreement to sign former Manchester United forward Shola Shoretire, according to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Red Devils academy graduate is currently a free agent after leaving his childhood club at the end of last term.

Man United were hoping to convince Shoretire to sign an extension and talks were ongoing in June, but both parties could not agree to a new deal.

The 20-year-old had interest from other English clubs and clubs in Spain, the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer.

However, he has opted to join the current Greek Super League champions and is now expected to sign his deal next week.

Shoretire spent the second half of the 2022-23 campaign on loan with League One club Bolton Wanderers, scoring his first league goal in May 2023 in a 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers.

He made five appearances for the Man United first team, with the last one coming in 2021-22.

The England youth international spent most of his time with the under-21s and will now hope to finally start playing senior team football at PAOK.

Shoretire joined Man United aged nine having had a stint with Manchester City youth set-up.

Having impressed through the youth ranks, he signed his first professional contract with the Red Devils in February 2021, a week after turning 17.

He made his official debut a few days later after coming on as an 88th-minute substitute for Marcus Rashford in a 3-1 league victory over Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

Shoretire became the youngest player to make an appearance for Man United in a European competition in the same month.

He came on as a substitute for Mason Greenwood in a goalless draw against Real Sociedad in the Europa League aged 17 years and 23 days.

Shoretire was tipped to become a future star for the Red Devils but could not force his way into manager Erik ten Hag’s plans and will be desperate to prove himself in the Greek top-flight.