Joe Hugill joins Kilmarnock on permanent deal
Manchester United Academy forward Joe Hugill has completed a permanent transfer to Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock, subject to registration.
The Durham-born striker joined us from Sunderland in 2020 and was a member of our squad that won the FA Youth Cup at Old Trafford two years later.
While developing at youth level, Hugill has also made an impression in several senior friendlies, scoring for the Reds in a 2-0 win over Rangers during pre-season of 2024/25.
Joe was quickly integrated into our most senior Academy team – then the Under-23s – after arriving at United as a 16-year-old, with his work rate and goalscoring ability standing out.
During his first season at the club, the former Newcastle and Sunderland forward became only the second Red in the post-War era to net four times in a single game against Liverpool, after Steve Jones in 1977.
His form was rewarded with an invitation to join first-team training in 2021 and, while an injury suffered on work experience loan with Forest Green Rovers reduced his gametime in the 2021/22 campaign, Hugill did end the term with an FA Youth Cup winners’ medal after appearing as a substitute in the Theatre of Dreams final.
Joe got back to scoring goals in our youth ranks and has since been able to garner further senior experience through a series of loan spells elsewhere.
In 2023, the striker joined Altrincham in the National League before building on that opportunity with Football League minutes during stays with Burton Albion, Wigan Athletic, Carlisle United and Barnet.
The 22-year-old was recalled from League Two outfit Barnet earlier this month and is now set to begin a new chapter by heading to Kilmarnock, where former Scotland international Neil McCann has recently taken charge.
Everyone at United would like to thank Joe for his efforts over the last five-and-a-half years and wish him the best of luck for the future.