Ryan Giggs’ teenage son Zach has signed a youth contract with newly-promoted Sheffield United.
Zach, 16, had been on Manchester United‘s books for four years, but has now opted to move to Bramall Lane after having a successful trial with the Blades.
He put pen to paper on the deal on Tuesday, and is joining a club on the up after Paul Heckingbottom’s side secured their return to the Premier League by finishing second in the Championship earlier this month.
Zach signed his contract in front of a wall with the message ‘The Academy of Opportunity’, which had pictures of England internationals Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire and Phil Jagielka on it, who all came through the club’s youth teams.
The talented prospect has already played for Wales at youth level, coming off the bench for his debut for the under-17s against France last September.
Ryan Giggs’ son Zach (above) signed a youth contract with Sheffield United on Tuesday
Zach has already played for Wales at youth level, and has now joined a newly-promoted Premier League club
Ryan Giggs (right) won 13 Premier League titles with Man United, but his son will not be following in his footsteps at Old Trafford after leaving the Red Devils to join Sheffield United
Some United fans may be disappointed to see Zach depart Old Trafford rather than following in his father’s footsteps.
Ryan spent over two decades at United, making an astonishing 949 appearances for the club during this time.
He won 13 Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson, and also triumphed in the Champions League twice and the FA Cup four times.
Giggs Sr went into coaching after hanging up his boots in 2014, acting as Louis van Gaal’s assistant at United for two years before the Dutchman was sacked in 2016.
He then got his first manager’s job in 2018 when he was placed in charge of the Wales national team.
The former United winger held the position for three years, but was dropped from the role shortly before the Euros in 2021 after being charged with coercive control and assaulting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville.
He went on trial last August, but the jury failed to reach a verdict after more than 20 hours of deliberations.
A retrial was subsequently ordered, and that is expected to start on July 31.
Giggs has been spotted making rare public appearances recently, as the Salford City co-owner attended their play-off semi-final against Stockport County last week, and then was seen grabbing a coffee with current girlfriend Zara Charles on Sunday.
Ryan Giggs was charged with coercive control and assaulting his ex-girlfriend in 2021. His first trial last year failed to reach a verdict, and he faces a retrial this summer
