Manchester United Secures £72 Million Signing of Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta
Manchester United has finalized the acquisition of Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for a substantial fee of £72 million. The 20-year-old, who made his presence felt at the Serie A club with an impressive record of 10 goals in 34 appearances during the previous season, has committed to a five-year contract with Old Trafford.
Expressing his excitement, Hojlund stated,
“It is no secret I have been a fan of this great club since I was a small boy. I dreamed of walking out at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player.”
This marks the third major signing of the summer under United manager Erik ten Hag’s leadership, with Mason Mount’s £55 million move from Chelsea and Andre Onana’s arrival from Inter Milan for £47.2 million.
Ten Hag lauded Hojlund’s attributes, stating, “He is a real frontman. Very direct to the goal, very good presser, a physical presence. I think in the balance of this squad, we needed that, alongside Rashford, another player who is direct and can score a goal.”
While Ligue 1 champions Paris St-Germain were also rumored to have an interest in Hojlund as a potential successor to Kylian Mbappe, Manchester United successfully secured his services.
Unfortunately, Hojlund will be unavailable for the initial weeks of the upcoming 2023-24 season due to a minor injury sustained during pre-season training with Atalanta. Nevertheless, he is determined to make a significant impact upon his return.
“I am incredibly excited by this opportunity to turn a dream into a reality, and I am determined to repay the faith the club has shown in me,” Hojlund affirmed.
The young striker’s journey from Copenhagen to Austrian side Sturm Graz and eventually to Atalanta for a substantial sum has been marked by consistent growth and development. He made his international debut in 2022 and has been a prolific scorer in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
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Manchester United’s Football Director, John Murtough, emphasized Hojlund’s exceptional talent and noted the club’s strategic approach to recruitment. “Rasmus is a truly exceptional talent; he possesses technical and physical attributes which rank him among the best players in the world for his age group.”
The signing reflects United’s commitment to strengthening its squad under Erik ten Hag’s guidance, as the club aims to pursue further success in the upcoming season.