Manchester United have signed the 16-year-old Indy Boonen on a three-year contract, according to reports in Belgium.

The midfielder, most recently on the books at Genk, was invited for a trial at Carrington after impressing Manchester United scouts in a friendly in 2013.

The left-footed playmaker was previously too young for United to sign but, following his 16th birthday, he has signed a deal until 2018, according to the newspaper HLN.

“It’s like in a dream,” said Boonen. “The training sessions are hard but I don’t feel the tiredness when I realise I have signed for Manchester United.”

Boonen’s father, Jacky, was a professional footballer for the Belgian sides Lierse, Beveren and Lokeren and also played for Dundee in 1998-09, and said his son is “a much bigger talent” while revealing: “Indy was especially impressed when he met his compatriots Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj.”

United are also reportedly keen to sign Indy’s younger brother Seppe, who is a goalkeeper, but they are unable to do so because he is only 13.