Ethan Laird has secured a permanent transfer from Manchester United to Birmingham City on a three-year deal for a reported £750,000.
The right-back made two senior appearances for the Reds' first-team, both in the Europa League. He debuted against FC Astana in November 2019 before featuring as a substitute versus AZ Alkmaar the following month.
The 21-year-old then secured several loan spells to a number of EFL clubs including MK Dons, Swansea and Bournemouth, who were in the Championship at the time. Laird was a regular for Queens Park Rangers during his loan stay last season, playing 33 times of which 30 were starts.
He netted his first senior goal in August’s 3-1 win over Hull and went on to tally two assists. Prior to his loan move to Loftus Road, he chalked up three appearances in pre-season, racking up 148 minutes of action. His exit from United marks an 11-year association with the club having first joined aged 10.
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Upon his transfer, Laird - who has also represented England at Under-17, 18 and 19 level - said: “It feels great. I feel like this is important to me now, this is the time where I get to showcase myself and not really think about anything else. It is a new step, a new pathway now and I am excited to get started.”
In a goodbye message to United fans on Instagram, Laird added: "It’s time to say goodbye @manchesterunited been at United since I was 10 coming through the ranks at this great club has been a huge privilege for me.
"It’s always been my dream to play for United so making my first team debut in 2019 in the Europa League was a dream come true. I want to thank everyone at the club for giving me the opportunity, especially my coaches and my teammates during the last 11 years.
"It’s time for me to take the next step in my football journey. When one door closes another one opens. And I pray that God continues to guide me with every decision I make for it’s for his glory not mine. I hope that our paths will cross again in the future if it is God’s will! Lairdo outt."
United had triggered a one-year extension in Laird’s contract earlier this month with his deal due to expire but the club said any permanent transfer offers would still be considered.
Laird becomes the second player to leave on a transfer this summer, following Zidane Iqbal's exit to Dutch club FC Utrecht for €1million. Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and five academy players have also all been released after their contracts expired.
David de Gea also becomes a free agent on Saturday although United remain in talks over a potential reduced-terms deal.
