Manchester United management are pleased with the arrival of Willy Kambwala from Sochaux.
Kambawala's move to England was reportedly brokered by Darren Dein, the son of former Arsenal chief executive David.
Kambwala, 16, joins United's academy with a stellar reputation, having represented the Ligue 2 side up to Under-19s level and captaining France's Under-17s.
"Make of that what you will in terms of how happy they are with the coup," a United source told the Manchester Evening News.
Kambwala made his debut for Manchester United's Under-18s last Saturday in their 4-0 rout of Derby County.