Signing of Enes Unal Continues Manchester City's Commitment to Youth Development

Manchester City completed the signing of Enes Unal on Monday for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £2 million.  

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Manchester City are pleased to announce the signing of Turkey international striker Enes Unal from @BursasporSk #mcfc pic.twitter.com/nMvSy07Upw

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) July 6, 2015"

The 18-year-old arrives from Bursaspor with a reputation as a hugely promising youngster, having scored four times in the Turkish Super Lig last season. He became the youngest scorer ever in Turkey’s top flight at age 16 and made his debut for the senior national side in March in a game against Luxembourg. 

He scored 24 times in 25 games for Turkey's under-16 side and 182 goals in 110 appearances for Bursaspor’s reserve team.

The fact that he was unveiled on the official site and on the club’s Instagram page suggests he is part of City's first-team plans. Whether a loan move will materialise this season in order to prepare him fully for Manuel Pellegrini’s first XI remains to be seen, but Unal’s record appears to put him above EDS level. He’s a player close to senior Premier League action.

City’s capture of Unal continues their policy of trying to sign the most promising young players from around the globe.

Premier League rules state clubs must name eight “homegrown” players in their 25-man squads each season. A player is deemed “homegrown” if they have been affiliated to an FA or Welsh FA side for three years prior to their 21st birthday, meaning clubs who identify young talent early enough can buy in players to fulfil the quota.

Kelechi Iheanacho, 18, was signed from the Taye Academy in January 2014, having been named player of the tournament in the Under-17 World Cup for Nigeria, and based on his performances for the EDS team last season, he is a player with outstanding technical quality who could impact Pellegrini’s first team in the coming campaign.

Paul Thomas/Getty Images

Bruno Zuculini, an Argentinian midfielder, arrived at City last summer from Racing Club before joining Valencia and Cordoba on loan. He was highly regarded in his homeland and will be hoping to stake a claim to a place in the City side in the near future.

Two of City's most impressive EDS players—Kean Bryan and Thierry Ambrose—have signed new long-term deals in recent days, further underlining that youth players are at the centre of the club's focus. 

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Proud to have signed my new 4 year deal with @MCFC Blessed with the opportunity to live my dream everyday⚽️💙 pic.twitter.com/enjGRvOmcF

— Kean Bryan (@keanB07) July 6, 2015"

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#MCFC youngster @thierryambrose has signed a big new deal http://t.co/QRPzszT7ci pic.twitter.com/SOAyXTtBfj

— Manchester City News (@ManCityMEN) July 3, 2015"

City’s £200 million youth and first-team training facility, known as the City Football Academy (CFA), opened in December and has provided the club with a wonderful player development centre they hope will produce world-class young players.

It’s a state-of-the-art development, the product of six years of research led by Brian Marwood, the club’s academy director. The level of detail is remarkable, and it offers a clear statement of the club’s intent where youth development is concerned.

Bankrolled by Sheikh Mansour, the club’s owner, the CFA boasts 16-and-a-half football pitches, world-class medical facilities aimed at prolonging players’ careers and classrooms where young players can complete their schoolwork. Everything a player needs to develop their talent is emphatically provided.

City’s commitment to young players in the Mansour era cannot be questioned.

With FA chairman Greg Dyke attempting to increase the number of “homegrown” players in Premier League squads from eight to 12 by 2020, according to this report by Owen Gibson in the Guardian, clubs are becoming increasingly aware that producing players who fulfil the criteria is vitally important.

City’s CFA facility and policy of signing promising young players from around the world shows they are acutely aware of the need to meet the demands. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and follows the club from a Manchester base. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.