Chido Obi joins Willem II on loan from Manchester United

Manchester United striker Chido Obi will spend the season on loan at newly promoted Eredivisie club Willem II, with the agreement containing no option for the Dutch side to buy him permanently.

The 18-year-old Danish forward said the move would provide an important opportunity to continue his development by playing regular senior football.

“This is a great step forward in my career,” Obi said. “I want to play as much as possible, gain experience and continue to develop as a player.

“I’ll work hard for the team and hope to make a valuable contribution.”

Obi will compete with Devin Haen for a regular place in the Willem II team as he looks to establish himself at senior level. The Tilburg club has previously given young strikers from leading European teams the chance to gain first-team experience.

Borussia Dortmund sent Alexander Isak to Willem II in 2019, and the Sweden forward scored 14 goals in 18 appearances during his loan spell in the Netherlands.

Manchester United will hope Obi can produce a similarly influential campaign before returning to Old Trafford. He remains under contract with the Premier League club until 2028.

Obi has already made his mark on United’s history. He became the youngest player to start a match for the club when he was selected in the starting line-up against Brentford in May 2025, aged 17 years and 156 days.

He has made eight senior appearances for United since progressing into the first team.

The striker joined the Red Devils from Arsenal in 2024 after an exceptional season with the Gunners’ Under-18 side. He scored 32 goals in 18 appearances during that campaign.

His scoring record has remained strong since moving to Manchester. Obi has found the net 36 times in 56 matches for United’s Under-18 and Under-21 teams.

The loan move represents the next stage in the development of a player who has already attracted attention through his performances at youth level. Willem II’s promotion to the Eredivisie will give him the chance to test himself against senior opposition in the Netherlands while competing for regular selection.

Obi’s spell will not include a permanent transfer option, meaning his future remains with Manchester United beyond the end of the season. The club will monitor his progress at Willem II before he returns to Old Trafford.

The forward is also a Denmark youth international, and his loan is intended to provide the regular competitive football and experience needed to continue his progression towards a more established senior role.