CITY have this afternoon recruited former Manchester United defender Joe Riley on a two-year deal.

The 21-year-old, who was linked with the club last summer, can play either left or right back.

Blackpool-born Riley started as a right winger in United’s academy before switching to a more defensive role.

Louis van Gaal gave him his United debut in an FA Cup win at Shrewsbury in 2016 and Riley also featured in the Europa League against Denmark’s FC Midtjylland.

He went on loan to Sheffield United the following January but played just twice before suffering a freak accident in training a month later.

Riley dislocated a shoulder after running into a fence at full speed and the injury put him out for the rest of the campaign.

City were among the clubs who enquired about taking him on loan last season. But he opted to stay at United and captained Ricky Sbragia’s under-23 side.

Riley said: "It's something I couldn't turn down. This is a Championship club and the vision they have is what motivates me."