Manchester United have announced the signing of Rasmus Højlund on a five-year contract. The Denmark striker was introduced to the Old Trafford crowd before Saturday’s pre-season friendly with Lens.
“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,” Højlund told the club website.
“I am incredibly excited by this opportunity to turn that dream into a reality and I am determined to repay the faith that the club has shown in me,” the 20-year-old added. “It is still early in my career, but I know that I am ready to make this step up and play with this group of world-class players.”
Højlund’s arrival from Atalanta would seem to end United’s summer hunt with the club previously linked to Tottenham’s Harry Kane, who is now the subject of an offer from Bayern Munich.
Rasmus Højlund signs his Manchester United contract alongside the club’s manager, Erik ten Hag. Photograph: Manchester United/Getty Images
The fee agreed with the Serie A club for Højlund is reportedly £72m in total – an initial £64m with a further £8m in add-ons. He spent just a single season in Bergamo, scoring nine goals in 32 matches, having previously played for Sturm Graz in Austria and his hometown club, FC Copenhagen.
After the signings of Mason Mount, for £55m from Chelsea and goalkeeper André Onana for £47m from Inter, United’s next moves in the transfer market are likely to be outgoings from Erik ten Hag’s squad, with the likes of Fred, Donny van de Beek, Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay all linked with moves away.
So far, only Anthony Elanga, sold for £15m to Nottingham Forest, has been sold from the senior squad. United continue to be linked with Sampdoria’s Moroccan World Cup star midfielder, Sofyan Amrabat, and Roméo Lavia, the Belgian also wanted by Liverpool against whom Southampton have set a £50m asking price.
Jonny Evans, 35, who was signed on a temporary basis by his former club to fill gaps on the summer tour, is expected to be offered a one-year contract to be defensive back-up after impressing in the United States.
