Manchester United have completed the signing of goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer.
The Athletic reported on July 9 that Manchester United were at an advanced stage of talks with the 35-year-old, who left Leeds United at the end of June after his contract expired.
Darlow, who made 22 appearances in the Premier League for Daniel Farke’s side last season, will serve as back-up to Senne Lammens, with Altay Bayindir expected to leave Old Trafford this summer.
The Athletic reported last month that United were weighing up an approach for Darlow, while Everton also explored a move for the Wales international. He joins a small list of players who have traded Elland Road for Old Trafford, including Rio Ferdinand, Gordon McQueen, and Alan Smith.
Manchester United wanted an experienced goalkeeper, preferably with Premier League pedigree and who qualifies as homegrown, to help bring on Lammens, and provide rotation as required with Michael Carrick’s side playing in the Champions League next season. Former academy goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, 33, was another option, but he has two years remaining on his contract at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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Leeds manager Farke described Darlow as a “very reliable, solid goalkeeper” when he dislodged summer signing Lucas Perri as his side’s No 1 last season. Darlow started every game from mid-January to the end of the season, as Leeds lost just four of their 17 matches and achieved a 14th-place finish. He also started Leeds’ final seven matches of the 2024-25 season as they clinched a return to the top-flight by winning the Championship title.
Darlow made 38 appearances for Leeds after joining the club from Newcastle United in 2023 on a three-year deal. He made 111 appearances for Nottingham Forest in his early career and spent nine years at Newcastle, where he appeared 100 times, before joining Leeds.
Alongside Bayindir’s expected exit, Andre Onana has agreed to another loan to Turkish club Trabzonspor, where he spent the 2025-26 season. Meanwhile, Radek Vitek, who was named Bristol City’s player of the year after an excellent loan from Manchester United, is the subject of interest from several clubs. He is expected to leave on loan or permanently to get regular minutes.
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Tom Heaton, 40, has signed a new one-year contract at Manchester United and will provide significant training support, while 23-year-old Dermot Mee signed a new two-year contract last week and is a valued member of the goalkeeper department.
Laurie Whitwell has reported on Manchester United since The Athletic launched its Premier League coverage in 2019. He has grown a reputation for breaking news stories on the club, writing in-depth features, and providing a reliable voice on Talk of the Devils podcast. He earned a nomination alongside colleagues for scoop of the year at the 2025 SJAs for Dan Ashworth’s shock United exit. He previously worked for the Daily Mail, covering Leicester’s remarkable title win in 2016.
