Confirmed: Striker scouted by Nigeria completes move to Manchester United 

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

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