Yahoo News What happened to Coventry City Academy star sold to Manchester United at 15
A quick scroll through the latest transfer gossip has thrown up a name from Coventry City’s not too distant past, local lad Charlie McCann.
The midfielder started out on the junior playing fields in the city before signing for the Sky Blues and then heading off on a dream move to Manchester United, leaving his home town club at the tender age of 15 for an undisclosed fee. Now 22, McCann has switched international allegiance twice and is now looking for his fifth club, reported to be allowed to leave relegated Forest Green Rovers for a nominal fee.
So what happened to the one-time star of City’s Academy who was tipped for a glittering top flight career?
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The early years
After standing out at his age group teams in the Coventry and Warwickshire Youth League, turning out for Coventry Sphinx and Brinklow FC, he caught the eye of Sky Blues’ scouts and promptly joined the Academy at the tender age of eight.
The talented young midfielder continued his outstanding development and progression, leading to an England Under-16s call up and interest from a host of higher placed clubs. And it wasn’t long after that the Red Devils came calling.
Having followed United since a small boy, the lure of Old Trafford was clearly a major factor - his parents having told City that he would have turned down any other club.
“When a big football club come knocking, and it is the club that Charlie supports, you must let him go and have that experience,” revealed then Academy boss Rich Stevens, speaking to CoventryLive in 2018.
“We did not want to sell him, we did not need a fee for him even though there was a fee involved. Charlie goes with complete support from me and the rest of the staff from the Academy. He has been unbelievable for us, even making his England debut back in August.”
Manchester United development
Going straight into United’s Academy, McCann went on to progress into club’s Under-18s in the U-18s Premier League and FA Youth Cup sides for two seasons. He made 24 appearances in his first season, scoring five goals and creating two assists.
He and team-mate Mark Helm forged a good central midfield partnership and were tipped to become a starting midfield pair in the under-23s set-up as he took his next step towards bridging the gap to then manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first team.
Opportunity knocks at Rangers
After four seasons with Manchester United, he joined Rangers in July 2021, signing a three-year deal at the age of 19. The transfer fee paid by Rangers was reported to be set to rise to £750,000.
He said at the time: “I’m delighted to get the move over the line, I was obviously really excited when I heard the news and I knew that it was a no brainer. I can’t wait to get started now and I’m looking forward to it. I feel like I’ve gotten to the point where I need the next step and this is the best option for me to make that and hopefully push myself to get nearer the first team.”
He went on to make eight appearances.
Changing international allegiance
He also changed his international allegiance after being called up by Republic of Ireland Under-17s and competing in the UEFA U-17 European Championships. He played in all of host nation Ireland’s Group A games, all three of which they drew 1-1 with Greece, Czech Republic and Belgium, finishing third in their group and failing to qualify for the knock-out stages.
In March 2022, however, McCann switched allegiance again, joining the Northern Ireland set-up and was selected for the Under-21 team. He went on to be called up to the senior squad for their Nations League games in June 2022.
Forest Green Rovers
In January 2023, aged 20, he joined then English League One club Forest Green on a three-and-a-half-year deal reportedly worth £350,000. It was reported at the time that McCann turned down the offer of a new deal with Rangers because of a lack of first-team football at Ibrox.
McCann told Forest Green’s website: “It feels great to have signed. I’m delighted to get it over the line and I can’t wait to get started. Hopefully I can start getting minutes under my belt very soon.”
Rovers’ Head of Performance & Recruitment, Stevie Grieve, added: “We are delighted to welcome Charlie to the club. He is an absolutely outstanding talent, who we will work with to develop for the future. He has demonstrated maturity and conviction to make the decision to come to Forest Green. We can’t wait to work with him.”
Going on to make just shy of 50 appearances and scoring four goals for the club, McCann is now reported to be able to leave for a nominal fee following relegation to the National League, as FGR look to reduce their wage bill. Crewe and Salford are both claimed to be keen on signing him.
