Manchester United have completed the signing of Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, according to reports.
Based on reports from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils will not trigger Zirkzee’s release clause of €40 million.
However, Manchester United will pay slightly above that price tag, about €42.5 million due to performance-related add-ons included in the deal.
Apparently, Bologna have agreed to the sale of Joshua Zirkzee due to the payment structure that the Red Devils have stipulated.
Zirkzee has signed a five-year deal with Manchester United which runs until the summer of 2029.
There is also the option for the deal to be extended for a further year, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group stamp their presence in the transfer market.
Joshua Zirkzee’s medical test will take place on Friday, July 12, 2024, before he will have a face-to-face meeting with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
After Joshua Zirkzee, Manchester United Expected To Make More Signings In The 2023 Summer Transfer Market
The Red Devils are making needed moves in the transfer market, having made essential administrative alterations and changes in the tactical department.
Manchester United are also still pursuing several other top footballers across Europe, including Lille prodigy Leny Yoro alongside Dutch defensive stalwart Matthijs de Ligt and PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
The English giants are not halting their move to acquire several players and it is expected that they make more notable signings in the 2024 summer transfer window.
Meanwhile, Joshua Zirkzee was a key member of Thiago Motta’s Bologna side that played swashbuckling football in the Serie A in the 2023/24 season.
Zirkzee’s Position?
Zirkzee can play as a striker and second striker, and his combination play with his teammates in the attacking department is superb.
Joshua Zirkzee made 37 appearances for Bologna in the 2023/24 season, scoring 12 goals and providing 7 assists in all competitions.
Clubs He Has Played For?
The Netherlands international has represented several clubs in his career, including; Feyenoord, Bayern Munich, Parma, and Bologna, who he joined for €8.5 million in the summer of 2022.
Joshua Zirkzee’s Market Value And Career Stats
Zirkzee’s market value is €50 million and he has made 126 club appearances thus far in his career, scoring 36 goals and providing 23 assists in all competitions.
Internationally, Joshua Zirkzee has made just 2 appearances for the Netherlands, scoring no goal and providing no assist.
His debut came in the 2024 European Championship, as he was introduced late on against Turkey in the quarter-finals.
Zirkzee will be hoping to slot in quickly to the standards of playing in the Premier League and he comes in as a replacement for Anthony Martial, who left Manchester United at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Joshua Zirkzee’s Achievements
Joshua Zirkzee has won several trophies in his career, including; 1 Bundesliga, 1 DFB-Pokal, 1 UEFA Champions League, and 1 UEFA Super Cup.
The 23-year-old was born in Schiedam, Netherlands, and he was named the best Young Player for the Serie A in the 2023/24 season.
Zirkzee was born to a Nigerian mother and Dutch father and before he was called up to the Netherlands national team, he had previously represented the country at Under 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 21 level.
Manchester United Confirm Appointment Of Rene Hake And Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Moreover, Manchester United have also confirmed the appointment of the Dutch duo of Rene Hake and Ruud Van Nistelrooy as assistant managers of the men’s first team.
The appointment was made known via a statement shared on the club’s website which reads:
“Manchester United has appointed Rene Hake and Ruud van Nistelrooy as assistant managers of the men’s first team, to work under Erik ten Hag until June 2026.”
Boss Erik Ten Hag also expressed his delight over their appointment, saying: “I am delighted that Rene and Ruud have agreed to join our project, adding a wealth of experience, knowledge and new energy to the staff.
“Now is a good time to refresh the coaching team as we look to build on the achievements of the past two years and push to the next level.”
