Manchester United have signed Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund from Serie A aspect Atalanta on a five-year contract till 2028, the Premier League membership mentioned on August 5, 2023.
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters
Manchester United sealed their swoop for Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for a reported payment of £64 million ($82 million) on Saturday.
Hojlund agreed a five-year contract with the choice of an additional season as United supervisor Erik ten Hag lastly acquired his want to herald a striker forward of the brand new Premier League marketing campaign.
The 20-year-old may value United an additional £8 million if add-on clauses in his contract are met.
“It’s no secret that I’ve been a fan of this nice membership since I used to be a small boy and I dreamed of strolling out at Previous Trafford as a Manchester United participant,” Hojlund mentioned.
“I’m extremely excited by this chance to show that dream right into a actuality and I’m decided to repay the religion that the membership has proven in me.
“It’s nonetheless early in my profession, however I do know that I’m able to make this step up and play with this group of world-class gamers.”
Hojlund was launched to United supporters on the Previous Trafford pitch forward of their 3-1 pleasant victory over Lens simply hours after his signing was confirmed.
Ten Hag made Hojlund his prime goal after United reportedly refused to pay Tottenham’s asking worth for England striker Harry Kane, who seems sure for German champions Bayern Munich.
French champions Paris Saint Germain had been additionally mentioned to be within the hunt for Hojlund’s signature earlier than United received the race.
Ten Hag was eager to spice up his placing choices after a season wherein his aspect usually lacked a innovative.
United completed third within the Premier League however scored simply 58 objectives — 36 fewer than champions Manchester Metropolis.
Though Hojlund has a low profile in comparison with a lot of his new team-mates, Ten Hag is assured he can thrive underneath the Previous Trafford highlight.
“He’s an actual frontman. Very direct to the purpose, excellent presser, a bodily presence,” Ten Hag mentioned.
“He needs to attain objectives. I feel he has enormous potential. And now it’s as much as him first, to discover that and we are going to help him, all of the coaches.
“The workforce was ready for a kind like him. They may combine him within the dressing room and within the pitch, they are going to assist him.”
Hojlund has loved a sudden rise since beginning his profession in relative obscurity with Danish membership FC Copenhagen in 2020.
He moved on to Austrian aspect Sturm Graz, the place his 12 objectives in 21 video games satisfied Atalanta to signal him in August 2022.
He scored 10 objectives in 34 appearances in all competitions for the Italian workforce final season, catching Ten Hag’s eye within the course of.
Bodily presence
Standing 6ft 2ins tall, Hojlund, who has scored six instances in his six video games for Denmark, ought to have the bodily presence to deal with the aggressive strategy of Premier League defenders.
In addition to his imposing physique, he’s additionally blessed with blistering tempo and predatory instincts within the penalty space.
Hojlund’s Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini likened him to Manchester Metropolis’s record-breaking striker Erling Haaland, whose objectives helped United’s rivals win the treble final time period.
In his maiden season in cost, Ten Hag led United to their first trophy in six years once they beat Newcastle within the League Cup last in February.
However the Dutch coach needs a sustained title problem this time period and Hojlund shall be anticipated to make an instantaneous influence after his signing took Ten Hag’s close-season spending over £160 million.
Hojlund is the third main arrival at Previous Trafford since final season after the signings of Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The Danish striker may make his aggressive debut for United towards Wolves at Previous Trafford of their opening Premier League fixture on August 14.