Soccer

Transfer round-up: Manchester United sign Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund on five-year deal

Manchester City finalise signing of Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal.

Denmark forward Rasmus Hojlund has joined Manchester United from Atalanta. Photograph: Jure Makovec/AFP via Getty Images

Sat Aug 5 2023 - 13:23

Manchester United have signed 20-year-old Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund from Serie A side Atalanta on a five-year contract until 2028 in a deal reported to be worth €83 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.

“Once I had spoken to the manager, I knew that this environment would be perfect for my development; I am relishing the opportunity to work with one of the best coaches in the world.”

Hojlund, who previously played for FC Copenhagen and Sturm Graz, joined Atalanta at the start of the 2022-23 season and scored nine league goals in a breakthrough campaign.

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He has also been in fine form for Denmark this year, scoring six goals in four appearances for the national team.

United needed a striker having spent the latter half of last season with Wout Weghorst often leading the line, with the Dutchman scoring just two goals in 31 games in all competitions.

Manager Erik ten Hag will hope Hojlund brings goals to Old Trafford but another key part of the Dane’s play is his ability to hold the ball up, which could create opportunities for attacking midfielders like Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount.

“Working under Erik ten Hag and his coaches will provide Rasmus with the perfect development platform,” Manchester United football director John Murtough said.

“Throughout the summer we have acted quickly and decisively to secure our primary targets early in the transfer window.

“This will ensure that Erik and his coaches have the best opportunity to prepare the squad to push for further success in the exciting campaign ahead.”

Hojlund becomes United’s third signing of this transfer window after the arrivals of Mount from Chelsea and goalkeeper Andre Onana from Inter Milan.

Meanwhile, Manchester City have finalised the signing of Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal.

The 21-year-old completed his medical with City on Friday afternoon after the Premier League champions agreed a fee of €90 million with Leipzig.

City announced on their official website: “Manchester City are delighted to confirm the signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal.

“The 21-year-old becomes the second signing of the summer transfer window ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, following in the footsteps of fellow Croatian international Mateo Kovacic.”

Gvardiol has spent the last two seasons at Leipzig, making 87 appearances in all competitions, and was key to Croatia’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar at the end of last year.

He said: “I have always dreamed of one day playing in England and to be doing so now with Manchester City – after the season they have just had – is a real honour for me.

“Anyone who saw Manchester City play last season knows they are the best team in the world. To win the treble says everything you need to know about the quality this team has.

“To be joining City is something very special for me and my family. To have the chance to work with Pep Guardiola, too, will be amazing. I know I am not yet the finished article and I am sure my game will progress under the best coach in football.”

Gvardiol will add competition on the left side of City’s defence, having helped Croatia reach the last four at the World Cup and then the final of the Nations League, where they were beaten by Spain.

He started out at Dinamo Zagreb, making his senior debut for his hometown club aged 17 in 2019, and, after turning down an approach from Leeds, joined RB Leipzig for €16 million in the summer of 2021.

Gvardiol returned on loan to Zagreb for the remainder of the 2020-21 season and helped them win the domestic double.

In his first season at the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig won the their first major trophy – the DFB-Pokal – and qualified for the Champions League after finishing runners-up to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

Gvardiol made 59 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig, who also reached the semi-finals of the 2022 Europa League and ensured a second season in the Champions League last season.

After making his first senior international start for Croatia in their opening group defeat to England at Euro 2020, Gvardiol played every minute for Zlatko Dalic’s side as they finished third at the 2022 World Cup.

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