Joshua Zirkzee is on the verge of joining Manchester United from Bologna, so here are six things we learned about the Dutch striker on and off the pitch during his time at the Stadio Dall’Ara.
One year after signing Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta, Manchester United are getting another rising talent from Serie A. The Red Devils, in fact, have reportedly reached a full agreement to sign Zirkzee from Bologna.
Zirkzee spent two years in Bologna, scoring 14 goals in 59 appearances across all competitions.
His performances in 2023-24 contributed to the Rossoblu’s qualification for the Champions League for the first time in over 60 years.
As explained during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport four months ago, Zirkzee had a solid bond with the city of Bologna and was a passionate follower of their basket team Virtus, one of the best in Italy who, this year, lost the Scudetto Final against Olimpia Milano.
Zirkzee also explained the reason behind his goal celebration, which caused him trouble when Bologna lost away at Fiorentina in November, and what San Siro meant to him.
Zirkzee could have played in that stadium for Milan in 2024-25, but the Rossoneri’s reluctance to pay €15m commission to his agent pushed the Dutchman towards Manchester United.
Zirkzee finished the 2023-24 Serie A campaign with 11 in 35 matches and was named the best U23 player in the league.
Here are six things we learned from his time at Bologna.
CELEBRATION – “There are a lot of strikers who did the guns firing. I got it from the movie Django. There is a point where he teaches Django how to shoot. That’s what I got it from.”
VIRTUS BOLOGNA – “When I checked the stands, I saw Virtus Bologna. They play the Euro League. They are playing well, so whenever we have the chance to go and watch, me and Dan [Ndoye] we always do. It’s a good atmosphere over there. It’s something you don’t expect because I’ve been to an NBA game before and it’s very different. The fans in Europe are different than in the US. I think that in the US the real fans only stand up when the play offs begin. During the season, it is just nice to watch for entertainment.”
LIFE IN BOLOGNA – “I’ve seen most of Bologna. I live in a quiet place and people there have respect for me. Sometimes kids knock on my door, which I find pretty funny. I can walk my dog there in peace, but when I walk to the city I have to wear my hoodie, I’ll be honest. Because of my hair, I am very visible. It would be difficult without hoodie. I really feel at home here. The people and the city deserve 100% from us.”
CHILDHOOD – “I used to be difficult as a kid. There was another side that was a bit stubborn, annoyed, couldn’t handle the feed, I got angry. At some point I didn’t celebrate goals because I thought I was the man, stuff like that. Some stuff young kids do as kids. When I watched Zlatan I was like: ‘The next time I score a goal I am going to be like this.'”
FUNNIEST PLAYER TO WATCH – “One was Leroy Sané, he always looks smooth, same as Jamal [Musiala]. De Ketelaere, for me it’s maybe him, the most fun player to watch. He played for Club Brugge when I was at Anderlecht and I really like his style of playing. Leao is, of course, one of them too.”
SAN SIRO – “San Siro has been a magical place for us. We haven’t lost, and we have won once. I went there as a kid once, and I did a tour with my little brother and parents. It was the first stadium I walked in, and I could feel the football in the stadium. As a fan, I think Allianz Arena and San Siro are the most beautiful stadiums inside me. It motivates the kid inside me. All my heroes, at one point, played at San Siro. It’s the kid in me that says: ‘Wow, I am at San Siro.'”