Manchester City have now won the race for the signing of 16-year-old FC Utrecht goalkeeper Mikki van Sas, who has been on the radar of both Manchester United and Barcelona after being scouted extensively while playing for the Eredivisie side Utrecht Under-17.
The Netherlands youth goalkeeper has played for his country’s Under-15 and Under-16 side and has widely been tipped as a successor to Jasper Cillessen (31) who has been a stable man between the woodworks for sometime now.
Van Sas has shown an outstanding qualities as a goalkeeper who is destined for the top. At just sixteen, he has showcased some incredible amount of reflexes, composure, quick feet and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. His maturity and ability to control his defenders sets him highly apart compared to his counterparts.
Some of his attributes has earned him a comparison with City’s first choice goalkeeper Ederson and the youngster will be hoping to displace the Brazilian international goalkeeper in the nearest future if he continues to develop and work harder.
With the completion of the deal that will see him move to the Etihad Stadium by next season, he’ll continue his studies in England and will also be training with City’s developmental youth team and fights his way up to the senior team.
Utrecht’s technical director Jordy Zuidam, through the club’s website, confirmed that the Netherlands youth international move to EPL side Manchester City towards next season.
“We say goodbye to Mikki with mixed feelings,” the statement read. “On the one hand, we regret that in the person of Mikki an incredibly talented goalkeeper leaves our Academy. We would of course have liked to see Mikki shine in the Galgenwaard Stadium, which is what we train for.
“On the other hand, Mikki said that he really wanted to make this move and we also see his transfer to Manchester City as a compliment to our youth academy. This transition confirms the elevated level of the Academy. We have reached an agreement with Manchester City on the transfer terms and all parties are satisfied. We wish Mikki every success in England.”
Upon his arrival at City, Van Sas will be competing with other crop of talented teenagers who will be vying to break into City’s first team as soon as possible, so as to impress the manager Pep Guardiola and fight for a regular playing time as well.
