Zirkzee’s Arrival Marks a New Era
Manchester United have made a significant move in the transfer market signing Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for €42.5 million (£35.8 million). This marks the first major signing under the Ineos era. Zirkzee who has inked a five-year deal with the option for an additional year expressed his excitement about joining the Red Devils.
Having had discussions with the manager and the leaders of the club, I know how exciting the future is going to be here, and I cannot wait to play my part in achieving success for Manchester United. I am ready for this next challenge, to go to another level in my career and win more trophies. It is a privilege to join such an iconic club.
Zirkzee said.
The 23-year-old striker brings a wealth of experience having played for Bayern Munich before moving to Italy permanently in 2022. His stellar performances at Bologna where he was named Serie A’s under-23 player of the season and finished as the club’s top scorer have caught the attention of top European clubs.
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A Much-Needed Addition to United’s Attack
Manchester United were in dire need of a new striker after a lackluster season saw them scoring only 58 goals and finishing eighth in the Premier League.
Joshua Zirkzee 2023/24 Season Stats:
| Season | Competition | Games Played | Goals Scored | Assists |
| 2023/2024 | All Competitions | 37 | 12 | 7 |
Sporting Director Dan Ashworth highlighted the importance of this signing.
Securing a forward to enhance our already strong group of attacking players was a key aim for this summer. We are delighted that we’ve managed to sign a player of Joshua’s calibre this early in the transfer window. Joshua is an outstanding talent who is ready to make an impact for Manchester United. His ability and desire to grow into a world-class player means that he will be a great addition to the squad.
Zirkzee’s impressive record at Bologna with 11 goals and five assists in 34 Serie A games showcases his potential. His market value skyrocketed from €8.5 million to €50 million reflecting his rising stock in European football.
Zirkzee’s Journey and Potential
Starting his professional career at Bayern Munich Zirkzee moved through loan spells at Parma and Anderlecht before making a permanent switch to Bologna. His consistent performances earned him a late call-up to the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024 adding to an already eventful summer for the young striker.
Let’s have a look at the biggest market value upgrades across the 23/24 season:
| Rank | Player | Age | Club | Value Increase |
| 1 | Yamal | 16 | Barcelona | €90M |
| 2 | Palmer | 22 | Chelsea | €65M |
| 3 | Bellingham | 20 | Real Madrid | €60M |
| 4 | Gyökeres | 26 | Sporting CP | €52M |
| 5 | Mainoo | 19 | Manchester United | €49M |
| 6 | Neves | 19 | Wolverhampton | €45M |
| 7 | Wirtz | 21 | Bayer Leverkusen | €45M |
| 8 | Sávio | 20 | PSV Eindhoven | €45M |
| 9 | Zirkzee | 23 | Bologna | €41M |
| 10 | Zaire-Emery | 18 | Paris Saint-Germain | €40M |
Despite his talent, Zirkzee faced challenges securing regular playing time at Bayern leading to his move to Bologna. The Bundesliga giants included a buy-back option in his contract indicating their belief in his potential.
Now as he joins Manchester United Zirkzee is eager to prove himself on one of football’s biggest stages. Zirkzee’s attributes as a forward make him a valuable asset. He is known for his speed, physical strength, aerial ability and technical skills.
His versatility allows him to drop deep and contribute to the build-up play making him a complete forward. With high expectations from Manchester United fans, Zirkzee is poised to make a significant impact at Old Trafford.
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