Rasmus Hojlund has confirmed his £38million permanent transfer from Manchester United to Napoli, triggered by the Serie A side's qualification for the Champions League. The Denmark international posted an emotional farewell to United on social media after scoring in Napoli's 3-0 victory over Pisa on Sunday, which secured their top-four finish.
The conditional obligation to buy was inserted into the original loan deal that brought Hojlund to Naples last summer. Napoli's place in Europe's premier competition was all but assured after a five-match winning run in early April, but a subsequent wobble — including home defeats to Bologna and Lazio — left them needing a final-day win. Their victory over Pisa, combined with a superior head-to-head record over Roma, sealed the deal.
In an Instagram post, Hojlund said: 'This goal felt symbolic because it means two things. We have 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 23-year-old added: '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.'
Hojlund has scored 15 goals across all competitions this season, though Sunday's strike was his first since March. Napoli manager Antonio Conte has defended the striker amid criticism, saying: 'He's the only striker we have in the squad, and he's the only one playing. He has a lot of energy and is a player with excellent qualities.'
