Mason Greenwood signs for top flight Spanish club in last-minute transfer

A file image of Mason Greenwood playing for Manchester United

A file image of Mason Greenwood playing for Manchester United

PA
Jack Walters

By Jack Walters


Published: 02/09/2023

- 08:44

The 21-year-old joins La Liga after 19 months of inactivity at Manchester United

Mason Greenwood has signed for a top flight Spanish club in a last-minute loan deal.

Greenwood, 21, joins Getafe just weeks after Manchester United completed its six-month internal investigation into his conduct.


The Bradford-born forward will leave Old Trafford for Coliseum Alfonso Pérez for a season-long loan spell.

The Red Devils last month concluded Greenwood would leave England's second most-successful football club by mutual agreement.

An image of Getafe CF's transfer update on Mason Greenwood

An image of Getafe CF's transfer update on Mason Greenwood

Getafe CF

Manchester United's probe came after the one-time England international was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The Crown Prosecution Service discontinued the charges against Greenwood in February but images and footage connected with the allegations circulated around social media.

Greenwood, who also lost his lucrative Nike sponsorship deal, last played for Manchester United during the Red Devils 1-0 victory over West Ham in January 2022.

He joined the north west club at the age of six, progressing through the academy before making his senior debut in 2019.

Manchester United's Mason Greenwood celebrates scoring the second goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Brentford Community Stadium, London

Manchester United's Mason Greenwood celebrates scoring the second goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Brentford Community Stadium, London

PA

Following the announcement of Greenwood's move to Getafe, Manchester United said in a statement: "Mason Greenwood has signed for La Liga side Getafe CF on a season-long loan, subject to international clearance.

"The move enables Greenwood to begin to rebuild his career away from Manchester United.

"The club will continue to offer its support to Mason and his family during this period of transition."

The Madrid-based club, who finished 15th in La Liga last season, will pay a small portion of Greenwood's wages.

Getafe in action against Barcelona

Getafe in action against Barcelona

Reuters

Greenwood, whose contract at Old Trafford runs until 2025, scored 35 goals in 129 appearances for Manchester United.

The CPS decided to drop the charges as key witnesses withdrew from the investigation and new material had come to light, meaning there was "no longer a realistic prospect of conviction".

In a update about its separate internal investigation, Manchester United said last month: "All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United.

"It has therefore been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome.

Mason GreenwoodMan Utd striker Mason Greenwood had charges dropped against him back in FebruaryPA

"Based on the evidence available to us, we have concluded that the material posted online did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged.

"That said, as Mason publicly acknowledges today, he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for."

Greenwood accepted he had "made mistakes" and took his "share of responsibility".

However, the 21-year-old added: "I did not do the things I was accused of."

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