Rasmus Hojlund has completed a permanent move to Napoli and has sent an emotional farewell to Manchester United as his time at the club officially comes to an end.
The Danish striker has been on loan with the Italian side from the Red Devils all season and was expected to make the move permanent.
That has been confirmed after Napoli secured Champions League football for next season, triggering a clause in the loan agreement.
Napoli will pay €44m (£38m) for the 23-year-old, who has scored 15 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions this season.
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The Denmark international spent two seasons at Manchester United after a £64m move from Atalanta in the summer of 2023, scoring 26 goals in 95 appearances.
He says it was a childhood dream to make the move to Old Trafford and is an emotional time in officially leaving the club, but is looking forward to years ahead at Napoli.
The forward scored the third in a 3-0 win at Pisa on Sunday which secured Champions League football for Napoli, who are now certain of a top four finish.
Hojlund wrote on Instagram: ‘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 symbolizes 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.’
There was a different tone when Hojlund spoke to Danish outlet TV2 in March, saying: ‘I got what I wanted with my transfer. I got a team that believes in me a lot … A sporting director, a president and a coach who wants me.’
As for manager Antonio Conte’s future at the club, he has left that up in the air, with one match still to play this season.
‘The president knows my thoughts, but not from today,’ he said. ‘They are already working for the future, we wait for the last match and then we will discuss with the owners what has been produced.
‘I have already expressed my will for a month, but now we must focus on the match against Udinese. I would be disrespectful to the president and to our friendship if I were to say anything in advance today.’