Who is Kie Plumley? The boyhood Man Utd fan who has become the club's eighth summer signing

Manchester United have completed the signing of Kie Plumley as a free agent - but who is the young goalkeeper?

Plumley joins the club as United's eighth summer signing, with the goalkeeping department in need of an overhaul after the departures of David De Gea, Nathan Bishop, Matej Kovar and Dean Henderson in the summer.

The club responded by bringing in Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir, while Radek Vitek has remained at Old Trafford. And 17-year-old Elyh Harrison has been playing as the U21 goalkeeper this season.

United have now added more goalkeeping depth to their squads. But who is Kie Plumley?

Who is Kie Plumley? Man Utd's newest goalkeeper signing

Plumley was on the books at Oxford United as an academy player, before being released by the club at the end of last season.

But the U's clearly saw enough potential in the goalkeeper, 19, to hand him his first professional contract in 2021.

And while he never made a first team appearance for the League One side, he was named on the bench on several occasions last season.

He was also utilised as cover for experienced former Blackburn shot-stopper Simon Eastwood in the 2021/22 campaign, and described signing his pro deal as a 'dream come true'.

Plumley missed out on a first team debut in 2021, with Oxford in the midst of a goalkeeping crisis. With other goalkeeper Jack Stevens suffering from glandular fever, and Simon Eastwood suffering from Covid-19, Plumley had to isolate due to being a close contact of the latter.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Plumley is a boyhood United fan.

What has been said about Kie Plumley?

After signing his professional deal, Oxford goalkeeping coach Wayne Brown told the club's official website: "Kie has a real chance. Physically he is a good size, he is a good talker and organiser and his attitude is spot on.

"He listens, he learns from the other keepers as well as the coaches, and I'm really pleased for him to get that pro contract. Hopefully it's just the start."

Plumley went on to have loan spells at Weston Super-Mare and Beaconsfield, but will now hope to use his opportunity at United to progress his career as he looks to make an impact at age group level.