Manchester United have officially sent Altay Bayindir to Celta Vigo on loan until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old Turkish goalkeeper joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2023 as back-up to Andre Onana, who had arrived from Inter Milan in the same transfer window.

In spite of the Cameroon international’s repeated mistakes between the posts, Bayindir was unable to overtake him in the pecking order during his early years at the club.

Last season, Ruben Amorim handed the Bursa-born keeper a spell in the first team at the beginning of the campaign while Onana had been placed on the transfer list.

However, Senne Lammens eventually established himself as the club’s No.1 soon after completing a late-summer move, which pushed Bayindir back to the bench once again.

This summer, Manchester United also moved for Karl Darlow, the 35-year-old Welsh goalkeeper who impressed at Elland Road last season before his contract with Leeds United expired.

The free-agent arrival is now recognised as the club’s second-choice goalkeeper behind Lammens, while veteran Tom Heaton will remain third in line.

As a result, Bayindir had become surplus to requirements at Carrington, making an exit unavoidable.

Although the Turkey international had been expected to return to his home country, Celta Vigo recently emerged as the leading contenders to sign Bayindir.

On Friday morning, Manchester United confirmed that the goalkeeper has joined the La Liga side on a season-long loan.

“Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir has agreed to join La Liga side Celta Vigo on loan for the duration of the 2026/27 season, subject to registration,” the club said in its official statement.

While United’s announcement did not reveal full details, The Sun journalist Samuel Luckhurst reported that the Spanish side will cover the goalkeeper’s wages in full and will also hold an option to buy him at the end of the campaign.

In addition, Manchester United inserted a sell-on clause, meaning they would receive a percentage if Celta Vigo sell Bayindir in the future.

Unfortunately for Bayindir, things never truly worked out for him at Manchester United. With his contract due to expire in June 2027, the Turkish keeper’s time at Old Trafford is effectively over, whether or not Celta Vigo activate their purchase option.

Interestingly, the 28-year-old is not the first goalkeeper to leave Manchester United this summer, and he will not be the last.

United have already agreed to send Andre Onana back to Trabzonspor for a second season. The club have also agreed to sell Radek Vitek to Middlesbrough, with the 22-year-old expected to complete his move to the Championship side in the coming hours.