EPL

Manchester United complete £72m signing of Rasmus Hojlund

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  • Post published:August 5, 2023

Manchester United have completed the £72m signing of Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta.

United manager Erik ten Hag finally got his wish to bring in a striker before the new Premier League season. Hojlund agreed to a five-year deal with an option for a sixth year.

If add-on clauses in his contract are met, the 20-year-old could cost United an extra £8 million.

“It is no secret that I have been a fan of this great club since I was a small boy and I dreamed of walking out at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player,” Hojlund said.

“I am incredibly excited by this opportunity to turn that dream into a reality and I am determined to repay the faith that the club has shown in me.

“It is still early in my career, but I know that I am ready to make this step up and play with this group of world-class players.”

Just hours after his signing was confirmed, Hojlund was introduced to United fans on the pitch at Old Trafford before their 3-1 friendly win over Lens.

Ten Hag made Hojlund his top target after it was said that United wouldn’t pay Tottenham the price they wanted for England striker Harry Kane, who seems to be going to Bayern Munich.

Paris Saint-Germain, the French champions, was also said to be interested in signing Hojlund before United won the race.

After a season in which his team often lacked a cutting edge, Ten Hag wanted to add more strikers to his team.

United came in third place in the Premier League, but they only scored 58 goals, which was 36 less than the winner, Manchester City.

Even though Hojlund is not as well-known as many of his new teammates, Ten Hag is sure that he will do well at Old Trafford.

“He is a real frontman. Very direct to the goal, very good presser, a physical presence,” Ten Hag said.

“He wants to score goals. I think he has huge potential. And now it’s up to him first, to explore that and we will support him, all the coaches.

“The team was waiting for a type like him. They will integrate him in the dressing room and in the pitch, they will help him.”

Since he started his career in 2020 with the Danish club FC Copenhagen, Hojlund has had a sudden rise to fame.

He moved on to Austrian team Sturm Graz, where he scored 12 goals in 21 games. In August 2022, Atalanta signed him after seeing him score 12 goals in 21 games.

Last season, he played for the Italian team 34 times and scored 10 goals in all competitions. This caught the attention of Ten Hag.