Danish striker departs for Serie A side
Manchester United have confirmed that Rasmus Hojlund has officially joined Napoli. It brings his three year career at the club to an end. A short statement on the club website wrote “Everyone at the club would like to wish Rasmus all the very best for the future.”
It comes after the completion of a year on loan to the Neopolitian side for the season just gone. The terms of the transfer dictated that they would make the deal permanent if they qualified for the Champions League. This was secured last month.
The deal is worth €44M plus the initial payment of €6M for the loan period.
He scored 16 times in 44 appearances this season with 13 coming in the league. The reigning Italian champions had an up and down campaign. They won the Supercoppa Italia, but finished runners-up to Inter Milan and went out of the Champions League at the Group Stage. There was further disappointment when he missed a penalty in a shoot-out defeat to Czechia in the World Cup play-offs.
The striker started his career at FC Copenhagen before a move to Sturm Graz in Austria. It was his time with Atalanta that first brought him to the attention of of then Manager Erik Ten Hag. He arrived in August 2023 on a deal worth £72M including add-ons. He impressed in Europe scoring five times. It took him 15 games to land his first Premier League goal. He eventually finished with 10 league goals. He also won an FA Cup medal, albeit as a substitute.
Many felt he was going to kick-on in his second season. It was a major disappointment though. He struggled with fitness and form through going 21 games without a goal. The team finished a new low of 15th and lost the Europa League to Tottenham, missing out on Europe altogether. All in all, he scored 26 times in his two years at Old Trafford having made just under 100 appearances.
He wrote on social media upon the announcement: “To say goodbye to Manchester United is something that kinda feels emotional. My childhood dream came true by playing at Old Trafford in a red jersey. The way you fans supported me, made me feel like home and let me find my confidence again is something I’m so grateful for.”
“So the goal today symbolizes a new confident start, in which I will give everything for the time ahead to Napoli, and a thank you to all the fans, players and staff of Manchester United who made the dream I had as a kid come true. It’s time for new dreams, so let’s chase them.”
It has not been confirmed what the length of the contract is. We wish him all the best.
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