Zach Giggs, son of Man United legend Ryan, has joined the academy of Sheffield United

Zach Giggs, the son of Manchester United legend Ryan, has joined the academy of newly promoted Sheffield United.

Zach Giggs has signed for Sheffield United (Image: Getty Images)

The 16-year-old has been part of United’s academy but is being released this summer by the Old Trafford club. It means he has had to find a new club to continue his football education.

And the son of United legend Ryan – United’s record appearance maker with 963 games in all competitions with the Old Trafford club with 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues – has now signed a contract with the Blades academy. It comes following a successful trial at the Randox Health Academy in recent weeks.

Zach Giggs in action for Wales ( Image: Getty Images)

Giggs is mainly seen as a left-back. But he has also featured at centre half and at right back during his time in the youth ranks at Old Trafford.

Eligible to play for both England and Wales at international level, he has represented the Welsh so far at youth level as he aims to follow in the steps of his father. The teenager was also part of a United academy side that featured in the US at the Adidas Generation Cup.

An official announcement has not yet been made by the Blades, who have won promotion back to the Premier League, but pictures posted on social media show the teenager signing a contract at the Blades, flanked by his dad Ryan and mum Stacey.

Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom previously told YorkshireLive of the important role the Bramall Lane academy plays at bringing through talent and how decisions are made when it comes to bringing players in. He said: “The academy has got to be brilliant at producing players.

“For the health of the club you have got to have people at every stage who are experts in what they do and what their job entails.

“Certainly academy manager, under 21 and under 18 coaches yeah you have got to produce players but decision making on those players is key as well.”

Source: manchestereveningnews