Regan Poole

Regan Leslie Poole (born 18 June 1998) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a centre back for EFL League One club Portsmouth.

Poole was a member of the Cardiff City academy and joined the Newport County Academy as a scholar in June 2014. In September 2014, he was on trial at Manchester United before he had made his debut for the Newport County senior team.

Poole made his Newport County debut at the age of 16 years and 94 days when he was named in the starting line-up for a League Two match against Shrewsbury Town on 20 September 2014 which ended in a 0–0 draw. Poole became the youngest Newport County player, surpassing the record set by Steve Aizlewood in 1969. He retained his place for the Football League Trophy first-round match against Swindon Town on 23 September 2014. Swindon won the game 2–1. In February 2015, Poole was shortlisted for the Football League Apprentice of the Year award. On 18 May 2015, Poole had a one-week trial with Liverpool.

On 1 September 2015, Newport County confirmed Poole had joined Premier League club Manchester United for an initial fee of £100,000 (potentially rising to £400,000 with future add-ons). It was assumed that Poole would join the club's Academy squad and "possibly be required for Under-21 and UEFA Youth League" matches. On 7 October, it was reported that Poole had yet to receive international clearance to move from Wales to England, and consequently was unable to play in a competitive match for Manchester United. On 1 February 2016, five months after joining Manchester United, Poole received international clearance and was free to play competitive football; that evening he appeared as an 89th-minute substitute for the under-21 side in a 2–0 defeat to Everton.

Poole was included in Manchester United's squad for the knockout phase of the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League and given the number 41 shirt. He was an unused substitute in their last 32 first leg match away to Midtjylland on 18 February; in the home leg a week later he made his United debut as a last-minute substitute for Ander Herrera in a 5–1 win.