Toby Collyer joins list of academy youngsters leaving Manchester United
By Luke Oluoch, August 30, 2026Manchester United youngster Toby Collyer has joined the growing list of academy graduates leaving the club after completing a permanent transfer to West Bromwich Albion.
The parent club confirmed the news, marking the end of the 22-year-old’s time at Old Trafford.
Collyer, who operates as a deep-lying midfield anchor focused on breaking up opposition play, sees his exit follow Manchester United’s recent midfield reinforcements.
The English midfielder, who has previously represented his nation at both U16 and U20 levels, was among a select group of academy players involved in United’s 2026 pre-season preparations under Michael Carrick.
Ultimately, the club made the strategic decision to sanction a permanent move ahead of the new campaign.
Collyer spent the first half of last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, where he impressed under head coach James Morrison despite an injury-interrupted spell. That experience prompted Morrison and the Baggies to bring the rising star back to the Hawthorns on a permanent basis. Welcoming the midfielder back to the club, West Brom expressed their delight in an official statement:
“We are delighted to announce the permanent signing of Toby Collyer from @ManUtd for an undisclosed fee. Welcome back to the Albion, Toby.”
Also departing Old Trafford is 20-year-old defender Louis Jackson, who completed a permanent move to Scottish Premiership outfit St Mirren. The Scottish youth international will link up with Kenyan forward Jonah Ayunga at the Paisley-based club.
Goalkeeper Radek Vitek also left the Manchester club to join the Championship side, Middlesbrough, on a permanent deal on August 5, 2026.
These moves follow the departure of attacking prospect James Scanlon, who left Manchester United to join Arsenal’s Hale End academy on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
Scanlon, a Gibraltar international with 24 senior caps, became a first-year scholar at United in 2023 before making the switch to London.
His transfer comes amid a notable period of academy movement between the two rivals, following Chido Obi-Martin’s arrival at Old Trafford for a faster route into United’s U21 and senior setup, and defender Ayden Heaven’s move from Arsenal to United in February 2025.