Two years after being released by Bayer Leverkusen, former Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah is hoping to return to England and restart his career this summer.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah is looking for a new club (Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Former Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah is training with Crystal Palace’s Under-21s after spending two years as a free agent. Fosu-Mensah, 28, was released by German side Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2024 and has not been with the club since.
The Dutchman was sold to Leverkusen in January 2021 for £1.75 million. Fosu-Mensah made 30 first-team appearances for Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United, having joined their academy as a teenager from his boyhood club Ajax.
The three-time Dutch international is now back in England with Palace, where he spent a year on loan during the 2017-18 season. According to the Mail, Fosu-Mensah is working with Palace’s Under-21s this summer to regain fitness and find a new club.
Fosu-Mensah’s career never fully recovered from a serious knee injury sustained while on loan at Fulham in 2019. A month after moving to Leverkusen, he suffered another knee ligament injury, forcing him to be out for about a year.
Follow Man United’s FB page! Keep up with the latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page
read more: Manchester United reveal how to finance new £2bn, 100,000-seater ‘Wembley of the North’read more: Rio Ferdinand urges Manchester United to sign four key players in summer transfer window
The versatile defender was then released without making a single appearance for the Bundesliga club during the 2023-24 season. Fosu-Mensah explained this to the Press Association in June last year. “Last season was the first time in my career that I spent without a team.
“At this age, it’s pretty quick and I think it’s pretty strange for people. I know I’ve worked hard and my efforts won’t go unnoticed. That’s what I believe. You’ll be at home doing nothing and then you’ll think, ‘Well, okay, let’s go to this club or that club.’
“No, that’s not the way, that’s not my mentality. It’s definitely a fresh start and I’ve been working hard.”
Should Michael Carrick take the Manchester United job permanently? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
Injuries derail Timothy Fosu-Mensah’s career (Image: Ralf Treese/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Speaking about his time as a free agent, the 28-year-old added: “There were a few situations here and there involving agents and it was a bit confusing, people I had never even contacted were talking in my name.
“I think about 80 per cent of the agents were approaching clubs and people I didn’t know and had never been in touch with. I think it was a huge mess.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
England’s 2026 World Cup kit
Various prices
england official store
Buy now from England’s official store
England and Nike have launched new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. Use code: ENGFREEDEL to get free shipping on all orders.
