South African-born teenager Keith Groeneveld did not make it through trials at Manchester United last month but the consolation is a three-year contract with one of Belgium’s biggest clubs‚ Standard Liege.

The defender has been unveiled as Standard’s first signing for next season as they prepare to play in the UEFA Europa League.

The 16 year-old Groeneveld‚ who was born in Kimberley but raised in Belgium‚ is regarded as one of the best talents in his adopted country and has just returned from a trial at Old Trafford.

He spent several days there but left without a contract offer.

The timing of the trip would have seemed ill-fitting‚ given the departure of manager Louis van Gaal and his replacement by Jose Mourinho.

Groeneveld has come through the ranks at Mechelen‚ who are based near Antwerp.

He has been a captain of their junior teams for several years and was also offered a professional contract in an abortive bid to keep him.

Belgium’s La Dernier Heure newspaper said Groeneveld was also a target for Arsenal and an unnamed Bundesliga club.

The youngster is unknown to the South African Football Association‚ who if they move quickly could try and persuade him to play for the junior teams.

 But any chance of going to the 2016 Olympic Games would seem a long shot.