Why Dutch club Utrecht are 'extremely proud' to sign ex-Manchester United youngster Zidane

Eredivisie club FC Utrecht has finally confirmed the signing of former Manchester United youngster Zidane Iqbal.

Utrecht unveiled Zidane through a post on their social media account as the midfielder looks to get on with life outside of United.

“Zidane is here,” Utrecht said in a post on their official Twitter account on Monday evening.

Zidane has put pen to paper on a four-year deal that will see the Eredivisie side become his new home until the summer of 2027.

The Iraq International departs Old Trafford after 15 years at Manchester United.

He arrived at the club as a five-year-old, going through the ranks before making his senior debut back in 2021.

Despite impressing in preseason in Erik Ten Hag’s first season, the talented youngster has joined Ten Hag’s former club without playing a single minute for the Dutchman.

However, United’s loss is now Utrecht’s gain and the club is pretty much proud of their new signing as Technical Director Jordy Zuidam gave an interesting insight into why the club went all out to get the United academy graduate.

“Zidane is a very creative midfielder, with a very good game insight,” Zuidam said per the club's website. “He can intercept balls, uses his body well in duels and is intelligent.”

“In addition, he can be at the beginning of an attack, thanks to his good short and long pass. Zidane plays with guts and has a high speed of action.”

Speaking further, Zuidam added that the club is proud of signing the 20-year-old midfielder who has now played for Iraq's national team three times.

“With his dribbling and passing, he is able to speed up the game,” he added. “We are extremely proud that Zidane wants to take the next step in his development at FC Utrecht.”