Manchester United have acquired Bologna and Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee for £36.54 million. The 23-year-old has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months.
Zirkzee’s Bologna contract had a €40 million (£33.6 million) release clause, but United agreed to a slightly higher fee to spread the payment over three years, aligning with Profit and Sustainability Rules.
This signing marks the first acquisition for the men’s team since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became a co-owner by purchasing a 27.7% stake in the club last December. Zirkzee scored 12 goals in 37 appearances last season, contributing to Bologna’s unexpected qualification for the Champions League.
Zirkzee moved to Bayern Munich from Feyenoord in 2017 before transferring to Bologna for about £7.15 million in 2022, following loan spells with Parma and Anderlecht. He was part of Ronald Koeman’s Euro 2024 squad for the Netherlands but made only two substitute appearances as the team lost to England in the semi-finals.
Named the 2023/24 Serie A Under-23 Player of the Year, Zirkzee expressed his excitement about joining Manchester United, stating, “It’s a privilege to join such an iconic club” and that he is “ready for this next challenge, to go to another level in my career and win more trophies.”
Dan Ashworth, United’s new sporting director, emphasized that enhancing the club’s forward lineup was “a key aim for this summer.” He described Zirkzee as “an outstanding talent who was ready to make an impact for Manchester United” and praised his “ability and desire to grow into a world-class player.”
United manager Erik ten Hag has seen his attacking options diminish with Anthony Martial’s departure in June after his contract expired. Rasmus Hojlund, a £72 million signing from Atalanta in 2023, scored 16 goals in 43 appearances during his debut season but lost his starting spot by the end of the season, with Ten Hag preferring Bruno Fernandes in a false-nine role during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City in May.
