A scout who spotted new Manchester United signing Amad Diallo as a 12-year-old labelled him a 'potential champion' after just one touch of a football.
Diallo was officially confirmed a United player on Thursday and has sealed a £37 million move from Atalanta.
The 18-year-old is regarded as one of the world's top prospects and according to Boca Barco president Enzo Guerri, the youth team Diallo plied his trade with, a Roma scout knew it from a young age.
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"I remember a very funny act drop with a Roma observer," Guerri said per The Mirror.
"He came to see him in a match and, after a stop aimed at the chest by Diallo at 5' [minutes], he turned his back to the field and went away.
"I immediately asked him for an explanation and he answered me: 'Things like that, at the age of 12, only potential champions do. Seeing him in this match is of little use, take him to Rome to train with our team'.
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"At Atalanta, however, they made him play from day one with the boys older than a year. In short, Amad has always been predestined."
A host of top clubs were interested in the Ivorian and he'd been on United's radar for a long time.
He has signed a contract until 2025 and has an option to extend that by a further year.
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Discussing the transfer, Diallo told ManUtd.com: "After waiting since the summer, it is finally a dream come true to complete my move to Manchester United.
"I am hugely ambitious and there is so much that I want to achieve in the game; when I spoke to the manager I knew that I had joined the perfect club.
"This is a really exciting squad with so many great players, I can promise that I will work hard every day to learn from them and give everything to develop my game.
"The coaches have been fantastic since I signed, we have been in touch regularly and they have already given me a lot of great advice.
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"I have had time to prepare for this move, both physically and mentally, and I have worked really hard to be ready to make the step up to this amazing club."
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to integrate the teenager in his plans as soon as possible.
"As a club, we have followed Amad for a number of years and having watched him myself, I believe he is one of the most exciting young prospects in the game," he said.
"Manchester United has such a proud history of developing young players and everything is in place to enable Amad to reach his potential here."
Featured Image Credit: Amad Diallo/InstagramTopics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Transfers, Man utd, Amad Diallo
