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Manchester United have signed 'the next Ronaldinho', according to his former manager

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Manchester United are set to confirm their first summer signing, who has drawn lofty comparisons

Brazil and Barcelona icon Ronaldinho
Brazil and Barcelona icon Ronaldinho (Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester United are preparing to announce the first signing of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era after agreeing a deal to sign Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee. 

The 23-year-old Netherlands international will join on €42.5milion deal as the club look to bolster their forward options and provide support for striker Rasmus Hojlund. 

Zirkzee made two appearances off the bench at Euro 2024 which came off the back of a successful season with Bologna that saw him net 12 goals and provide seven assists as his side claimed a Champions League spot after finishing fifth under manager Thiago Motta. 

VIDEO: Why England FINALLY Came Good Against The Netherlands

And it’s fair to say that Motta, who joined Juventus last month, was a big fan of the Dutchman, as he has previously said that the forward reminds him of Ronaldinho, the thrilling Brazilian playmaker that Motta played alongside at Barcelona. 

“He said that his idols are Ibrahimovic and Batistuta, who are two excellent players,” said Motta after Zirkzee scored a late winner for Bologna against Lazio in February. “Seeing him day to day, he reminds me of the Ronaldinho I played with at Barcelona, but I cannot compare him to anyone. 

"He is Joshua, he is special, he enjoys his football and above all works very hard in training.

Joshua Zirkzee in action for the Netherlands

Joshua Zirkzee in action for the Netherlands (Image credit: Getty Images)

Motta also outlined the forward's dedication to his craft. 

“Since the first day of pre-season, he has always been the first to arrive at the camp," he added. "He has become a leader and it’s all to his credit. We just need to keep accompanying him, because he is certainly on the right path.”

With such a glowing reference from one of Europe’s best young coaches, Manchester United fans will be hoping that this first signing made by the new regime is a sign of things to come. 

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Joe Mewis
Joe Mewis

For more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.