Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley for the rest of the season.
The 30-year-old has joined from the Clarets to fill the hole left in Erik ten Hag's squad by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, who had his contract terminated by mutual consent in November.
Weghorst was on loan at Besiktas until the end of this season, but United have paid the Turkish club £2.6million, via Burnley, to terminate their agreement with the Clarets early, which has allowed the forward to complete the switch to United.
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United do not have an option or obligation to make the deal permanent in the summer.
“I feel privileged to be joining Manchester United. I’ve played against the club in the past and it’s a fantastic feeling to now have the chance to pull on the famous red shirt," said Weghorst.
"I’ve seen United’s progress under Erik ten Hag this season and can’t wait to start playing my part in pushing the team towards its aims.
“Whatever happens in the next few months, I can promise to give everything to the club for as long as I am here. I thank everyone who has played a part in getting me to this stage, and now I am looking forward to meeting my new teammates and getting involved straight away.”
United's football director John Murtough said Weghorst's "strong personality" was part of his attraction.
“Wout has a consistent goalscoring record across several European leagues, and his attributes will add a further dimension to our squad for the remainder of the season," he said.
"We were also attracted by his strong personality and dedicated approach to football, which fits perfectly with the spirit that Erik is building within our squad. He has shown a huge desire to join Manchester United and be part of what we’re striving to achieve this season.”
Besiktashad an option to buy the striker, who scored nine goals in 18 games for them, at the end of the season and Burnley had no recall clause in that agreement.
United had to negotiate with Besiktas to convince them to terminate Weghorst's stay in Turkey this month and then complete an agreement with Burnley for the Netherlands striker to move to Old Trafford for the rest of the 2022/23 season.
Ten Hag had requested the signing of a forward in January but was told he could only bring in a player on loan, with United short of cash after spending £225million in the summer window.
Weghorst was identified as a cut-price option and the first discussions between United and Burnley over a potential deal took place in mid-December.
The 6ft 6ins forward scored twice for Holland in their World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina last month and once he was made aware of United's interest he was desperate to force the move through.
He scored just two goals in 20 Premier League appearances for the Clarets last season and has 171 goals in 407 games across his career.
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