Confirmed: Striker scouted by Nigeria completes move to Manchester United
Published: July 14, 2024
Through a statement on their official website, Manchester United have announced the signing of cap-tied Netherlands international of Nigerian descent Joshua Zirkzee.
Zirkzee has departed Serie A outfit Bologna following a decision by the Red Devils to exercise the relevant clause in his contract.
The Bayern Munich academy product was a player of interest to the Nigeria Football Federation before he became cap-tied to his country of birth, Netherlands in the just concluded European Championship, where he made his senior debut in a quarterfinal clash against Turkey.
Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr saw firsthand the qualities of Zirkzee when he personally scouted him on his full Bundesliga debut against Hoffenheim in February 2020, but the German's attempts to convince the dual-national to switch his allegiance from Netherlands to Nigeria was nothing but a wild-goose chase.
Born to a Nigerian mother and Dutch father, Zirkzee has put pen to paper on a five-year contract with Manchester United, with an option to extend it by an extra year.
He was courted by a plethora of top European clubs after an outstanding season that saw him register nineteen goal involvements in 37 all-competition appearances for Bologna, helping them qualify for the 2024-2025 Champions League.
The 23-year-old is set to become the third dual-national of Nigerian descent to represent Manchester United in recent years after Italian-Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo and English-Nigerian attacking midfielder Shola Shoretire.
Zirkzee played for VV Hekelingen, Spartaan '20, ADO Den Haag and Feyenoord in his youth, and also counts Parma and Anderlecht among his previous clubs.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit: manutd.com
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- Done deal: Super Falcons-eligible goalkeeper returns to Portsmouth after release by Brighton
- Super Falcons player ratings: Demehin, Ohale star women; Okoronkwo outstanding; Ajibade pulls the strings
- Wafcon Nigeria 5 Zambia 0: Five observations from Super Falcons' statement win v Copper Queens
- Nigeria 5 Zambia 0: Ohale, Okoronkwo, Ihezuo, Demehin, Ijamilusi find the net in statement win
- Chido Obi named in travelling squad for Man Utd's pre-season fixture against Leeds United
- Super Eagles 2 Ojodu City 0: Bankole and Ijeoma on target for Eric Chelle's team in friendly
- Official: Outfielder-turned-GK signs new Arsenal contract; eligible for Nigeria, Ghana, England
- Rangers include two Nigerians in squad for UEFA Champions League second round qualifier
- Banda, Chanda and more: Four Zambian players Super Falcons must silence in Wafcon clash
- Son of Arsenal legend who faced Nigeria three times at Afcon inks new contract with Chelsea


- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Football Betting
- Polish Football
- VT88
- VT88
- keo nha cai
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- SHBET
- okvip
- keo nha cai
- F168
- F168
- F168
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88