New Mexico United announced on Thursday that they have signed former Manchester United defender Tyler Blackett for the remainder of the season.
Blackett’s new side is based in Albuquerque and competes in the USL Championship, the second division of American football after MLS.
The 32-year-old’s move comes two years after he was released upon the expiration of his contract by Championship side Rotherham following their relegation to League One.
Blackett, who made 11 appearances for United after being handed his debut by Louis van Gaal in 2014, was thrust into the first-team set-up due to the side’s injury crisis.
He was sent out on loan to Celtic in August 2015 before signing a four-year contract with Reading the following season.
Following the end of his contract in 2020, Blackett then had spells at Nottingham Forest and FC Cincinnati before joining Rotherham for just over a year.
Speaking to USL media, United sporting director Itamar Keinan said: ‘We are thrilled to add someone with Tyler’s pedigree to our club.
‘Tyler is not only bringing a wealth of experience with him, but also real quality and leadership to our backline.
‘Welcome to the Black and Yellow, Tyler!’
Blackett, who is from Manchester, came through the United academy before making his professional debut at the age of 19 with Blackpool.
His Old Trafford debut came against Swansea City, where the visitors won 2-1.
Having featured for England at almost every youth level, Blackett was tipped for big things as a youngster but struggled to live up to expectations.
He was ultimately dropped by Louis van Gaal following the return to fitness of his team-mates and later revealed he made a ‘selfish decision’ to leave.
‘I am sure we had a conversation at some point, knowing how Van Gaal is, about why I was dropped earlier that season,’ Blackett told The Times in 2017.
‘He was quite straightforward and he tried to get the best out of the team. Sometimes it was good enough and sometimes it wasn’t. He’s a good manager. I wouldn’t say it was the hardest decision (leaving United). It was a selfish decision.
‘We all have our own aspirations and we have to make decisions not for the team, but for personal reasons. Throughout the years, you see players who you think maybe should have moved on, but they stayed at United.
‘Every player has their own aspirations and you have got to take charge of your own career.’
New Mexico currently sit sixth in the Western Conference. While it is still early in the season, they will have to finish in the top eight if they want to reach the play-offs.
They will face Phoenix Rising away next weekend.
