NEWPORT County AFC manager Terry Butcher has backed Regan Poole to be a big hit at Manchester United after the 17-year-old completed his dream move from Rodney Parade to Old Trafford.

Poole’s move to United was concluded just before the 6pm deadline on Tuesday with the fee officially undisclosed but believed to be an initial £100,000, potentially rising to £400,000.

The County scholar, who was released by Cardiff City in the summer of 2014, is set to play for the United under-18s side for the remainder of this season.

But former England centre-back Butcher says Poole has the talent to succeed with the Red Devils.

“I think it is just a fantastic opportunity for Regan,” said the Exiles boss after his side were knocked out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on penalties by Swindon Town last night.

“When Manchester United come calling, out of the blue really, and they match the valuation and offer us money and incentives as well then you’ve got to let the player talk to the club and see if they can do a deal, which they’ve done.

“I think it was one minute to six the deal was done and we wish him good luck.

“He’s a smashing boy with a great future ahead of him at a fantastic club.

“It’s every schoolboy’s dream and it was the talk of the dressing room before the game.

“The lads wanted to know if it was done and they all wished him good luck.

“He’s still very young at 17 and he’s got the perfect stage to go and perform and the perfect place to learn.

“He’ll love it, I’m sure; it’s a fantastic training set-up and it is a fantastic club.

“I nearly made it to Manchester United but never quite so he’s done something that I never did and we wish him well and will follow his progress.”

Butcher, who also saw defender Kevin Feely leave the club yesterday, signed free agent Matt Partridge as an instant replacement and says there will be more loan signings in the near future.

But Poole will not return on loan.

“There’s been no talk of him coming back on loan,” he said.

“We’ve acquired Matt Partridge on a permanent deal until the end of the season.

“He’s 21 and has played at Dagenham so he has good experience and we’ve filled that gap already.

“Kevin Feely leaving too was a body blow when he came in and told us but we had to respect his wishes and let him go.

“You lose two players like that and you’ve got to fill the gap.

“But we’ve got a bit of money and hopefully we can get some more loan players in when the emergency loan situation opens up in a week’s time.

“We’re not done yet in terms of bringing players in,” he added.

“We probably need to get at least another one centre-half in because that is a position where we have lost two now.

“I might get a little bit of that money but we still have some in the budget because Kevin Feely leaving means we had a bit left in the pot to work with.

“We’ve done that already with Matt and we’ve still got a little bit more as well.

“Kieran Parselle came in and did well again so we’ve got a good young squad here but we’re not finished building yet.

“It’s a work in progress and if we can get one or two more in, which we’re trying to do within our budget and with the little bit of money I’ll get from Regan then maybe we can improve on the pitch where it really matters.”