Manchester United officially handed Karl Darlow the No. 12 shirt Thursday, a day after the veteran goalkeeper signed a two-year deal with a club option for a third. The move comes as United’s goalkeeper room undergoes a near-total rebuild this summer.
Darlow, 35, arrives on a free transfer after turning down a new contract from Leeds United, where he spent the second half of last season as the clear starter after Lucas Perri lost the job. Leeds pushed hard to keep him, sources said, but Darlow opted for the chance to compete at Old Trafford.
He’s the second signing under manager Michael Carrick, who took over permanently after United’s late-season coaching shakeup. The club has not confirmed any further signings yet, but the roster shuffle is clearly underway.
The Goalkeeper Situation at Old Trafford
Andre Onana is back at Trabzonspor on another season-long loan, following a 2025-26 stint there. Altay Bayindir and Radek Vitek are also expected to leave this summer, both seeking regular playing time United can’t guarantee them. That leaves Darlow as the clear veteran presence, likely competing with a younger addition still to come.
United targeted Darlow specifically for his Premier League experience. He made 19 appearances for Leeds last season and has more than 100 top-flight games across spells with Newcastle, Hull City, and Nottingham Forest. His free-agent availability made the deal even more straightforward.
No. 12 Has a History
Darlow wore No. 26 at Leeds but knows the 12 well. He had it at Hull and Nottingham Forest earlier in his career. At United, the number most recently belonged to Tyrell Malacia, who left at the end of last month when his contract expired.
Before Malacia, Chris Smalling wore it for years and won two Premier League titles in it. Ben Foster was the last keeper to wear 12 for the club. Bryan Robson was actually the first, though he later moved to the more famous No. 7. David Bellion, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, and David May all had it at some point too.
Darlow is expected to be in uniform for United’s preseason opener next week. Carrick has not named a starting keeper yet.
Leave a Comment