André Onana is set to complete a season-long loan move from Manchester United to Turkish club Trabzonspor. The 29-year-old goalkeeper is scheduled to travel to Turkey on Thursday to undergo a medical examination and finalize the deal.
Onana’s departure follows a challenging period at Manchester United, where he struggled to secure a starting position. After joining from Inter Milan in 2023 for an initial £43.8 million, Onana faced several high-profile errors, including mistakes in both the UEFA Champions League group stage and the 2025 UEFA Europa League Final. His last appearance for United came in a League Cup defeat to Grimsby Town, where his performance was notably poor.
The arrival of Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp further complicated Onana’s position at the club. With Altay Bayındır and Tom Heaton also in the squad, Onana found himself sidelined. Additionally, United’s failure to qualify for European competitions led to a 25% wage reduction for players, prompting Onana to seek a move.
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Trabzonspor has agreed to cover Onana’s full wages and offer additional signing-on fees and performance-based bonuses, nearly doubling his earnings compared to his reduced salary at United. The loan deal does not include an option to buy, meaning Onana is expected to return to Manchester United at the end of the season.
This move provides Onana with an opportunity to regain form and confidence in the Turkish league, away from the intense scrutiny he faced in the Premier League. For Manchester United, it alleviates immediate goalkeeper concerns but leaves manager Ruben Amorim with a thin squad, as Bayındır and Lammens have yet to prove themselves at the highest level.
The transfer underlines the increasingly international nature of player careers, with established stars seeking playing time and stability across different leagues when opportunities at their home clubs dwindle. Onana’s Turkish stint could be pivotal in reshaping his trajectory ahead of future seasons.