Friday 15 January 2016 08:03, UK
Former Manchester United academy player Jack Harrison is heading to New York City FC after being selected first in the MLS Super Draft.
Harrison, who was born in Bolton, was taken by the Chicago Fire with the opening selection of Thursday's draft in Baltimore, but later traded to New York for the fourth pick and general allocation money.
The Fire would go on to use their fourth pick on recent United States call-up Brandon Vincent.
After his time with United, winger Harrison moved to the United States and played high school football in Massachusetts before heading to Wake Forest University, where he had an impressive season and was named Atlantic Coast Conference offensive player of the year.
New York City tried, and failed, to sign him as a homegrown player two weeks before the draft - he had previously played for one of their affiliates Manhattan Soccer Club - and they went into the draft keen to find a way to prise him away from Chicago.
But the trade was not announced until 30 minutes after the Fire had made Harrison the first pick as doubts swirled over where the 19-year-old would end up playing.
"It's just a massive whirlwind. I'm really grateful for this opportunity," Harrison said.
"It's nice to be back in New York City, as I played there with Manhattan Soccer Club. Obviously, being coached by Patrick Vieira is an opportunity not many people can say they have. I'm really excited about this new step in my life, and I am looking forward to making the most out of it."
