Andre Onana Joins Trabzonspor on Season‑long Loan From Manchester United

Andre Onana has completed a season‑long loan move from Manchester United to Turkish side Trabzonspor, the clubs confirmed on Thursday, subject to international clearance and registration.

The 29‑year‑old goalkeeper flew to Turkey with his wife and representatives to undergo a medical and sign a contract and was greeted by jubilant fans on arrival. Trabzonspor will pay Onana’s wages and his signing‑on fee and bonuses, reportedly doubling the keeper’s earnings; the loan carries no fee to Manchester United and does not include an option to buy.

Onana, who has three years remaining on the contract he signed at Old Trafford in 2023 after joining from Inter Milan for about £47.2 million, is expected to make his debut for Trabzonspor against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Sunday. The move follows a turbulent summer for the Cameroon international, who missed United’s pre‑season with a hamstring injury and has struggled for consistency since his arrival two years ago.

The goalkeeper’s only appearance for Manchester United this season came in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town, in which he was criticised for an error. Altay Bayindir has started United’s three Premier League matches so far, and the club recently signed Senne Lammens from Antwerp for a reported £21.7 million, adding to the competition for the No. 1 shirt.

Sources close to the player and to United had previously expected Onana to remain at Old Trafford, but the club made clear it would not stand in his way if he wished to move. Contacts were made with Trabzonspor as the Turkish club moved to sell their goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir to Galatasaray. The Turkish transfer window closes on Friday, and the loan progressed quickly to meet that deadline.

Onana made his 50th appearance for Cameroon on Tuesday in a World Cup qualifying loss to Cape Verde and was pictured pushing a fan as he left the pitch after the game. He said he was "very happy" to be joining Trabzonspor and described feeling welcomed by supporters, remarks reported by Turkish outlet 61Saat.

The move leaves United with Lammens as a leading candidate for the No. 1 position, with Bayindir and Tom Heaton remaining in the squad as experienced backups. United retain the option to extend Onana’s contract by 12 months, but with no purchase clause in the loan and the Turkish club covering his pay, the transfer could mark the beginning of the end of Onana’s spell at Old Trafford.

Onana's time at United was marked by high expectations and a series of high‑profile mistakes that undermined his standing with supporters and within the squad. The goalkeeper missed significant training time after tearing a hamstring during a return session at Carrington in July, which limited his opportunities during pre‑season.

Trabzonspor have moved to strengthen their goalkeeping options ahead of the new season while preparing for the departure of Cakir. The club will not pay a loan fee, according to reports, but Onana’s arrival adds an experienced international to their squad and gives the goalkeeper a chance to rebuild form and confidence away from the scrutiny of Old Trafford.