Manchester United strike their first deal of the summer as goalkeeper Tom Heaton pens a new one-year contract that will keep him at the club past his 39th birthday

Tom Heaton has signed a new one-year contract at Manchester United, the club have confirmed.

Heaton, 38, has been United’s third-choice goalkeeper since returning to his boyhood club in 2021.

He has made a total of three appearances – against Young Boys in the Champions League, and Nottingham Forest and Charlton in the Carabao Cup – although he did not feature last season after Altay Bayindir was brought in as back-up for Andre Onana.

Heaton is currently in Germany with the England squad after being drafted in by Gareth Southgate to help prepare Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson at Euro 2024.

The former Aston Villa and Burnley keeper was happy to extend his United career by another 12 months.

Heaton, pictured (right) on the bench, did not play once for United’s first team last season

‘I am delighted to continue my stay at my boyhood club,’ said Heaton. ‘I still feel in great shape and I am ready to offer whatever the squad needs throughout the season ahead.

‘In addition to on the pitch, I’m learning so much off it for my next steps, whatever that may be.

‘But, first and foremost, I want to push the squad to build on our successes from last season.’

Confirming the news on Tuesday, the club said in a statement: ‘Everybody at United would like to congratulate Tom on the new deal and we wish him well for 2024-25.’ 

Although not a member of the squad, Heaton has been training with England at Euro 2024

Heaton (second right) was taken to Germany to work with Dean Henderson (left), Jordan Pickford (second left) and Aaron Ramsdale (right)

While Heaton has not been a first-team regular for some time, he has 380 senior club appearances to his name.

Heaton has also won three England caps, with his most recent game for the Three Lions coming back in 2017.