Manchester United have signed teenage defender Regan Poole from League 2 club Newport County.

The 17-year-old centre-half, capped at youth level by Wales, joins for an undisclosed fee.

Newport boss Terry Butcher said: "In the past few days a number of clubs have shown an interest in Regan, but as soon as Manchester United came in there was only really going to be one outcome.

"It is every boy's dream to play for Manchester United, and it's a wonderful opportunity for him to progress at such a magnificent club. It doesn't matter which country you are in, or where you are in the world, when Manchester United come calling you have to answer.

"What it does show for our club is that there is a pathway right to the very top. Someone like Regan, who started off at Cardiff but was released and then came to us, it doesn't matter which age the players come to us they can emulate Regan's footsteps.

"It's a great boost for the club, in terms of the academy, the first team and the area of Newport. The region produces a lot of good, young footballing talent.

"We are active in the transfer market and there will be options for us when the loan window re-opens again in a week's time. There is a small legacy in many aspects that Regan has created, the money that he has generated could help to get other players and to give the younger boys that inspiration to possibly do what he's done one day."