Manchester United strike their first deal of the summer as goalkeeper Tom Heaton pens a new one-year contract that will keep him at the club past his 39th birthday
- Manchester United have given Tom Heaton, 38, a new one-year contract
- The experienced goalkeeper has not played for United since December 2021
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Tom Heaton has signed a new one-year contract with Manchester United, the club have confirmed.
Heaton, 38, has been United’s third-choice goalkeeper since returning to his boyhood club in 2021.
He played three games in total: against Young Boys in the Champions League and against Nottingham Forest and Charlton in the Carabao Cup. However, he did not play last season after Altay Bayindir was brought in as a reserve for André Onana.
Heaton is currently in Germany with the England squad after being brought in by Gareth Southgate to help Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson prepare for Euro 2024.
The former Aston Villa and Burnley goalkeeper was delighted to extend his United career for another 12 months.
Goalkeeper Tom Heaton, 38, has signed a new one-year contract with Manchester United
Heaton, pictured (right) on the bench, did not make a single first-team appearance for United last season
“I’m delighted to be staying with my boyhood club,” Heaton said. “I still feel in top form and I’m ready to give the squad what they need during the coming season.
‘Besides what I do on the field, I also learn a lot for my next steps, whatever they may be.
‘But above all I want to encourage the selection to build on the successes of last season.’
The club confirmed the news in a statement on Tuesday: ‘Everyone at United congratulates Tom on his new contract and we wish him all the best for 2024-25.’
Although he is not a member of the squad, Heaton will train with England at the 2024 European Championship
Heaton (second from right) was brought to Germany to team up with Dean Henderson (left), Jordan Pickford (second from left) and Aaron Ramsdale (right)
Although Heaton has not been a first-team regular for some time, he has made 380 appearances for his club.
Heaton has also won three caps for England, his last appearance for the Three Lions coming in 2017.