Manchester United and Manchester City have completed a swap deal involving Grace Clinton and Jess Park.

The Athletic reported on Wednesday that the England duo were set to swap clubs after City and United agreed to trade the midfielders.

The deals are separate acquisitions, both with transfer fees. City will pay a higher sum for Clinton than United will for Park, and so United will end up banking a profit.

The pair have both signed four-year deals which will keep them with their new clubs until 2029.

Upon joining United, Park, 23, said: “I am really happy to be here and can’t wait to get started. I wanted to break out of the boundaries and push myself to take on a new challenge. I’m the sort of person who wants to keep improving and pushing limits, and I think this is the perfect place for me to do that.

“I’m a player who wants the ball, and when I get it I like to look up and try and make things happen for my team-mates, so I think I can fit in really well here. I know the ambitions are very high and I want to help the team push towards them.”

Clinton, 22, also spoke on her move to City, saying: “It feels amazing. I’m so excited. I love the way Manchester City play, and it’s been tough to play against them in the past so I’m excited to be here and meet the girls.

“City, for me, has always played an amazing style of football. Keeping the ball, it looks lovely, and there are amazing players [here].”

Park and Clinton were both part of England’s 2025 European Championship-winning squad. The two players compete for the No 10 position at international level, while Clinton can also operate in a deeper midfield role.

Clinton announced her departure from United via a statement that read: “The club and I have taken the decision to part ways over the past few days. This has been a very difficult decision for me because of the love I have for my teammates and for you, the fans.

“However, I feel the future of the club and I aren’t on the same page. For me personally, the next step is about growth. I want to continue to develop and learn. Thank you for everything.”

Clinton was under contract with United until 2026 after they triggered the one-year extension option in her deal.

The transfer to City sees Clinton forfeit Champions League football after United beat them to the final qualifying spot in the Women’s Super League last season.

Clinton joined United in the summer of 2022 and won the PFA young player of the year award after a strong 2023-24 season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur. The England international made her senior United debut on her return, scoring the first of her eight league goals last season against West Ham in September 2024. 

(Photo: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)