Rasmus Hojlund’s loan from Manchester United to Napoli has been made permanent, it has been confirmed.
The Danish striker moved to Italy on loan with a conditional obligation to buy after falling out of favour under previous United manager Ruben Amorim.
He has enjoyed a successful spell there, hitting 11 goals and assisting four more in 32 Serie A appearances.
Hojlund struck the most recent of those goals in the 92nd minute as Napoli won 3-0 at Pisa to seal a place in next season’s Champions League. He also assisted his former Manchester United team-mate Scott McTominay earlier in the match.
In doing so, he triggered Napoli’s obligation to make his loan permanent.
The terms of the deal held that Hojlund’s loan would become permanent if he helped Napoli qualify for the Champions League.
A fee of £38m is expected to change hands between the clubs.
Hojlund himself confirmed the move in a statement, writing on his Instagram page that it felt bittersweet to confirm his move away from United, saying it was a ‘dream come true’ to play for the club.
He wrote: “This goal felt symbolic because it means two things. We now secured Champions League with Napoli, which means because of my contract I’m now officially a Napoli player and I’m saying goodbye to Manchester United.
“That feels weird, because for the past year I already feel like a Napoli player. The way you fans supported me, made me feel like home and let me find my confidence again is something I’m so grateful for.
“To say goodbye to Manchester United is something that kinda feels emotional too. My childhood dream came true by playing at Old Trafford in a red jersey.
“So the goal today symbolises a new confident start, in which I will give everything for the time ahead to Napoli, and a thank you to all the fans, players and staff of Manchester United who made the dream I had as a kid come true. It’s time for new dreams, so let’s chase them.”
Speaking in March, Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna described Hojlund’s impetus as ‘instrumental’ to the club’s successful season.
He said: "Hojlund has been instrumental. Even when he hasn’t scored, he’s always worked hard for the team.
“We have an obligation to buy him outright if we qualify for the Champions League, but I don’t think his future lies far from Napoli even if that doesn’t happen.”
Hojlund will not be the only player leaving Old Trafford this season, with midfielder Casemiro also due to depart when his contract expires at the campaign’s close.
