Rasmud Hojlund: The story of a promising striker

Manchester United have officially completed the signing of 20-year-old forward Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta, with the Denmark international following Mason Mount, Jonny Evans and Andre Onana into the club this summer.

Hojlund, who has penned a five-year-deal with the Reds, has enjoyed a euphoric rise over the past two seasons, culminating in his move to Old Trafford, ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Rasmus helped former side Atalanta finish fifth in Serie A last term and is set to provide Erik ten Hag with another exciting option as the competition for places in attack increases.

Here’s everything you need to know about our newest recruit’s career so far…

Rasmus and Erik are all smiles after sealing the deal.

Rasmus played academy football for Hørsholm-Usserød Idraetsforening and Brondby, before eventually landing at his hometown club, FC Copenhagen, where he began to make an impact.

The striker broke into the first team in October 2020, aged just 17, and finished his debut season with a handful of senior appearances including four in Denmark’s Superligaen.

Hojlund went on to play 32 times for FC Copenhagen, scoring five goals – two of these coming in the Europa Conference League. He also collected his first winner’s medal after helping Jess Thorup’s side to claim the 2021/22 Superligaen title.

It wasn’t long before the teenager was on the move again, with Sturm Graz securing the striker’s services on 28 January 2022.

He impressed with the Austrian top-flight side, scoring 12 goals in 21 appearances – including one in a UEFA Champions League qualifying defeat to Dynamo Kiev.

The Dane’s exploits in Austria attracted other European clubs and on 27 August 2022, Hojlund signed for Serie A side Atalanta on a five-year contract.

During his time in Italy, he became known for his tall frame and electric pace, with some pundits comparing him to his fellow Scandinavian, Erling Haaland.

In his 34 outings for Atalanta, he netted 10 goals – many of them as an impact sub – and registered four assists.

Rasmus’s maiden strike for the Bergamo club came on 5 September 2022 in a 2-0 win over Monza. In January 2023, he scored four goals in four consecutive fixtures, as he nailed down a regular place in the starting line-up.

Having made his debut for Denmark as a substitute against Croatia in September 2022, Hojlund started a senior international match for the first time on 23 March 2023. The 20-year-old marked the occasion by scoring a hat-trick – his first three goals for his country – as the Danes beat Finland 3-1 in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying.

Rasmus followed that triple with a further two strikes against Kazakhstan three days later. Hojlund now has six senior caps on his CV, including a game earlier this summer when he played directly against Jonny Evans, now a United team-mate. Denmark triumphed 1-0 over Northern Ireland in Copenhagen with another Red, Christian Eriksen, also on duty.

At 20, Hojlund has a long career ahead of him, and Ten Hag has a still largely unearthed gem to work with and integrate into United before he is fully flaunted in the Premier League and Champions League.

With our 2023/24 opener next on our fixture list, here’s to Rasmus making a swift recovery from the minor issue he sustained in pre-season training with Atalanta and pulling on the famous red shirt very soon.