Ex-Chelsea Scout Who Discovered Nigerian Striker Joins Manchester United

Published: August 26, 2018

Manchester United have signed Scandinavian scout Bjarne Hansen who recommended Nigerian striker Joel Asoro to Sunderland in 2015.

Tipsbladet.dk says Hansen has left his job at FC Copenhagen and is going to work for the Red Devils, having scouted for Chelsea, Sunderland, PSV and Hamburg in the past.

Asoro was on the radar of European heavyweights Juventus, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea but he chose Sunderland because of the influence of Hansen.

Confirming his move to Manchester United, Hansen said : ''I was recommended the work of some from my network. I chose to apply for the position and have been lucky enough to get it.

''It's a huge club and it will be a great challenge for me. I had some really good years in Chelsea, and I have also had Sunderland, Hamburger SV, PSV and FC Copenhagen, but Manchester United is of course something special.''

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Asoro is the youngest player of Nigerian descent to debut in the English Premier League, aged 17 years and 117 days, when he came on in the 81st minute of Sunderland's 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough on August 21, 2016.

The attacker joined Swansea City on a four-year contract in July 2018 after Sunderland were demoted to the third-tier of English football.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : safc.com