Napoli sign Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund on loan with obligation to buy
Updated 01/09/2025 at 19:53 GMT+1
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Serie A champions Napoli have bolstered their attack with the signing of Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund on a loan deal with an obligation to buy. The 22-year-old Dane will reunite with his former team-mate Scott McTominay and provide the Italian club with much-needed cover up front after an injury to Romelu Lukaku. Hojlund scored 26 goals in 95 appearances while at United.
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Rasmus Hojlund has joined Napoli from Manchester United on a one-season loan deal with an obligation to buy.
The deal includes a conditional obligation of ÂŁ38 million, if Napoli qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the 2026/27 season - as reported by the BBC.
Hojlund has been with United since 2023, scoring 26 goals in 95 appearances over the last two seasons.
Now he is teaming up with former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte, as Napoli look to defend their Serie A title and make a real impression in the Champions League.
Hojlund finished the 2023/24 season celebrating on the pitch at Wembley as United beat local rivals Manchester City in a memorable FA Cup final.
But the Denmark international endured a difficult 2024/25 campaign, scoring just four league goals.
For the club, it turned out to be their worst season for more than half a century, since Tommy Docherty's team were relegated in 1974.
They finished in 15th place in the Premier League, and lost to Tottenham in the UEFA Europa League final.
And with United so busy reinforcing their attack over the summer, it soon became clear that Hojlund had fallen well down the pecking order under Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim.
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Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo all arrived at Old Trafford in big-money deals.
Hojlund spoke on United's pre-season tour of the United States about wanting to fight for his place.
"I think my plan is very clear and that is for me to stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens," Hojlund said.
"Competition is fine with me, it sharpens me. I’m more than ready. I’m feeling sharp so I’m welcoming everything that comes."
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Rasmus Hojlund has joined Napoli on loan
Image credit: Getty Images
But he was then left out of the squad for United's opening league matches of the season against Arsenal and Fulham, along with their Carabao Cup tie at Grimsby Town, which saw The Red Devils suffer defeat in a penalty shoot-out.
Speaking after the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in their season opener, United head coach Amorim said: "It is a fight for the places, we will see what is going to happen on the market.
"Different characteristics. Rasmus has the same characteristics as Ben Sesko, so sometimes we need to choose."
Hojlund will have one very familiar face greeting him at Napoli, with former United star Scott McTominay proving to be a revelation in Italian football since joining from United last year. Scotland international McTominay earned a Ballon d'Or nomination off the back of winning the Serie A title.
Napoli have won their opening two games of the season in Serie A, as they aim for a third title in four seasons.
Hojlund may be taking on familiar foes if he plays in the Champions League too. Napoli will visit Manchester City later this month and host Chelsea in January.
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