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Manchester United have completed the signing of 15-year-old Republic of Ireland defender Lee O'Connor.

Former Waterford full-back O'Connor is captain of Ireland Under-16s and was last month named Ireland's Under-15 player of the year.

O'Connor received the award from Everton right-back Seamus Coleman, who attracted interest from United while David Moyes was in charge - and during Louis van Gaal 's first season.

Head of academy Nicky Butt said last month United would make a number of academy signings.

"We’re short on a few numbers in the different age groups and it’s something we need to address," he said. "Something we are addressing and something we will hopefully get over the line in the next few weeks, in time for next season.

"It’s the same as any other club. We all want to attract the best young players in Europe, at whatever age, and we’re exactly the same. We want to attract the best players we can from all over Europe and bring them into what we feel is already a great set-up."

Picture credit: Joe Evans/Waterford News & Star

United completed the signing of American teenager Matthew Olosunde earlier this year and are expected to tie up deals for FC Zurich striker Nishan Burkart and Feyenoord's Tahith Chong.

O'Connor, born in 2000, will be one of the youngest players in the Under-18s squad next season with the supremely gifted forward Angel Gomes .

O'Connor is the first Irish player to join United from Waterford since John O'Shea in 1998. O'Shea spent 10 years in the United first-team, winning six Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.

The only other Irish footballer in United's academy at the present time is James Dunne.