Manchester United transfer news: Andy Kellett arrives at Old Trafford on loan from Bolton for rest of the season

Manchester United have completed their third signing of the January transfer window after they signed Bolton Wanderers defender Andy Kellett on loan for the rest of the season.

"Manchester United have signed Andy Kellett from Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season," a statement on United's official website read.

It was a shocking move from Louis van Gaal, who was expected to strengthen the first-team defence rather than sign a player, who is said to go straight into the youth team.

The Red Devils were linked to the likes of Paris Saint-Germain's Marquinhos and Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund but instead signed Kellett, who has made just four senior appearances for the Trotters after coming through their youth system.

The 21-year-old Bolton defender, who was part of the youth set-up recently returned from a three-month loan spell with League Two side Plymouth Argyle, where he played 15 games scoring one goal.

The manager of the League Two side John Sheridan was keen to take the player back to the club and admitted that the defender was also keen on a return.

"If he's not going to play at Bolton, there is only one club he wants to go to and that's Plymouth. I have spoken to him and he has told me that," Sheridan said, as quoted by the Guardian.

It is believed that the defender has been signed to give the youth team boss more options in defence following a spate of youngsters leaving United on loan.

Meanwhile, United have allowed Swiss defender Saidy Janko to move in the other direction on the same loan terms until the end of the current campaign.

The 19-year-old right-back, who signed for the Old Trafford club in 2013, has made just one senior appearance for the Red Devils, and that came this season, in the 4-0 loss at the hands of MK Dons in the Capital One Cup.

Andy Kellett