Athletic have pulled off another transfer coup by agreeing terms with Manchester United defender Michael Clegg. The 24-year-old right-back, with experience in the Premiership and Champions League, will sign a three-and-a-half year contract. Clegg has made 37 appearances for United but his path to the first team is blocked by internationals Mikael Silvestre, Denis Irwin and the Neville brothers, Gary and Phil. His Old Trafford contract was due to run out in June and, as he could leave under the Bosman ruling, Sir Alex Ferguson allowed him to go for free. Ashton-born Clegg won two England under-21 caps and has also played first-team football on loan at Ipswich and Wigan. He is the eighth Athletic signing since Mick Wadsworth took over, while his younger brother Steven, who is also a full-back, was on trial at the club last week. His arrival casts doubt over Scott McNiven and on-loan Dean Holden, who have shared right-back duties throughout Wadsworth’s reign.