Manchester United have sold academy defender Ben Hockenhull to Championship club Brentford.
Hockenhull, 18, has joined Brentford's reserve side on a two-year deal after United had extended his contract to December amid uncertainty over the futures of a number of academy players in the current climate.
The United academy helped Hockenhull secure the move to promotion-chasers Brentford, who finished third in the Championship and two points behind runners up West Brom.
Brentford B head coach Neil MacFarlane said: "First and foremost, Ben is coming from a top football club. He’s somebody that has fantastic presence on the pitch.
"As a centre-back, size is important in English football, but he’s got much more to his game than that. He’s fantastic on the ball and in possession, and with us being a possession-based team, that will stand him in good stead. We think there is lots more development in Ben and he will be a great addition to the squad.
"I've met Ben and his family, they are fantastic people, and that’s a big thing at this football club in that we bring in good characters. Ben is very level-headed and has got real drive and passion to do well at Brentford."
Hockenhull started in United's FA Youth Cup fifth round and quarter-final wins over Leeds and Norwich this season next to captain Teden Mengi in the absence of the injured Will Fish.
Hockenhull also lined up in 13 of the youth team's Under-18 league fixtures.
