In a remarkable twist of fate, a former Manchester United youth prospect who helped make history at the club has embarked on a drastically different career path.
From Old Trafford to the Postal Route
Charni Ekangamene, now 31, is working as a postman for Belgium's national postal service, Bpost. This comes eleven years after he decided to leave the Premier League giants, where he was once a highly-rated midfielder in their famed academy.
Ekangamene made his mark at United by being part of the squad that won the club's inaugural Under-21 Premier League title in the 2012-13 season. He had joined from Royal Antwerp at age 16 and forged close friendships with future stars, playing alongside the likes of Adnan Januzaj, Jesse Lingard, and Michael Keane.
A Football Journey Across Europe
After a loan spell at Carlisle United in 2014, where he made his professional debut, the Belgian midfielder chose to depart Old Trafford that same year. He returned to his homeland to sign for Zulte Waregem, beginning a nomadic career that took him to clubs in the Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, and Gibraltar.
His 13th club, and current team, is Belgian fourth-division side Berchem Sport, a part-time operation. This structure allowed Ekangamene to take on his role with Bpost in 2021, a job he describes as the "perfect fit" alongside his football.
"I start early in the day, and I can even have a bit of a rest before the start of training," he explained. "I first used to go out on a bike, but nowadays I use a van. At least I now keep dry... I still keep moving!"
A Stark Financial Contrast
The career shift has brought a significant change in income. Ekangamene revealed that his combined monthly earnings from football and his postal job total just over €3,000 (approximately £2,630).
He starkly contrasted this with his time at United, stating, "When I was at Manchester United I was being paid four times as much. But after I left them, my football career did not turn out as I had expected. I gave it my all. But you can't always get all you want."
His decision to leave United in July 2014 was personal. At the time, he said the move was the best choice for him and his family, expressing hope that the club would find its "rightful place." While his path diverged sharply from many of his academy peers, Ekangamene has found a new rhythm to life, far from the bright lights of the Premier League.
