Manchester United finalised their first signing of the summer transfer window, bringing in Joshua Zirkzee to bolster their attack ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The Netherlands international was confirmed as a new United player on July 14, the Premier League club having paid a fee of €42.5 million (£36.54m/$46.4m) for the Bologna forward.
The Red Devils have struggled to recruit consistent attackers in recent years, with a mixed return from their forwards as Erik ten Hag aims for balance at Old Trafford.
Last season, Rasmus Hojlund showed significant promise and coped manfully with a heavy burden up front as Marcus Rashford's form and fitness failed him.
The new campaign promises a fresh start at Old Trafford, with INEOS' new football administration operation in position and Ten Hag in possession of a new contract after winning the FA Cup.
Against that backdrop, the 20-time English champions chose to bring in a player closer to the Hojlund profile in terms of youthful potential displayed in Serie A — one of the stars of Bologna's superb run to secure UEFA Champions League qualification.
So, who is Joshua Zirkzee and why have United signed him? The Sporting News takes a look.
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Who is Joshua Zirkzee? Age, career of Bologna forward
The 23-year-old Zirkzee featured in the youth categories of ADO Den Haag and Feyenoord in his homeland of the Netherlands before catching the eye of Bayern Munich.
Eight goals in nine UEFA Youth League appearances for Bayern served further notice of his potential, although a sustained first-team breakthrough proved beyond Zirkzee, who left Bavaria with 17 senior appearances — just four of which were from the start — and four goals to his name.
He did, nevertheless, make a notable initial impression with two goals in his first two Bayern appearances as an 18-year-old in December 2019 wins over Freiburg and Wolfsburg.
A loan to Parma was ruined by a lateral collateral ligament injury but 18 goals and 13 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions for Belgian giants Anderlecht in 2021/22 underlined his star potential.
Those performances came under Vincent Kompany, and the new Bayern Munich boss has also been linked with an interest in Zirkzee, even if his most famous previous association with the player was a locker-room dressing-down that went viral.
Former Bayern player Joshua Zirkzee has faced Vincent Kompany's wrath firsthand during their time together at Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League 🤬
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) May 24, 2024
Is this what Bayern Munich players should prepare for? 👀pic.twitter.com/RxEWS1x8Ug
It persuaded Bologna to pay €8.5 million for Zirkzee's services in August 2022. His initial season under Thiago Motta was one of acclimatisation to new surroundings and a progressive, ambitious coach.
Everything came together last term when Zirkzee starred as top scorer with 11 goals and five assists in 34 Serie A outings and Bologna booked their place among Europe's elite by finishing fifth.
Where does Joshua Zirkzee play? Position, style
Zirkzee's goal scoring record is impressive if not quite at the dizzying level that demands top dollar in the transfer market.
However, the Dutchman is also an eye-catching dribbler and drops in well effectively to link play — qualities that were to the fore at Motta's Bologna.
It mean he is not necessarily a rival for Hojlund and could theoretically play as a foil for the hulking Dane.
Playing with two central attackers would be a departure from how Ten Hag typically operates and create a quandary over where to field United's star player Bruno Fernandes.
Nevertheless, Zirkzee is a technically gifted attacker of a profile United do not have in their squad.
How much did Man United pay to sign Joshua Zirkzee?
It was widely reported that United agree a fee of €42.5 million (£36.54m/$46.4m) to sign Zirkzee from Bologna.
The forward's contract with the Serie A side contained a €40m release clause, but United brokered a deal whereby they will pay slightly more in exchange for a favourable payment structure that will see the fee spread over installments for the next three years. This will help United adhere to the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules.
Bayern will also earn a share of the sale after inserting a 50 per cent sell-on clause when selling Zirkzee to Bologna.
Joshua Zirkzee contract, salary
Zirkzee signed a five-year contract with United, with the option of an additional year. That means his deal with the Red Devils does not expire until at least July 2029.
It's not yet clear what sort of wages he will receive at Old Trafford, but it is expected to be a sizeable increase on the €1.15 million base salary he earned with Bologna.
Does Joshua Zirkzee play for the Netherlands?
Zirkzee was not initially included in the Netherlands' squad for Euro 2024 but was called up by Ronald Koeman after injuries to midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners.
He made his full international debut as a late substitute in the dramatic 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Turkey and made a late cameo as the Dutch bowed out of the competition against England in the semifinals.
Zirkzee scored seven times in 19 caps for the Dutch Under-21 side.
MORE: England's full squad for Euro 2024, including one or two surprises
Joshua Zirkzee FC 24
In the EA FC 24 video game, Zirkzee has an overall rating of 79 and a potential of 87 as a ST.
He has a medium/high work rate and ranks highly for Jumping, Ball Control, Dribbling and Agility. He has a four-star Skill Moves rating.
