Manchester United have officially announced the signing of Danish defender Patrick Dorgu from Serie A side Lecce for a reported initial fee of £25 million ($37 million). The move marks the first signing of the Ruben Amorim era at Old Trafford.
The 20-year-old defender has established himself as one of the brightest young talents in Italian football, scoring five goals in 53 appearances over two seasons in Serie A.
He has also earned four caps for Denmark, further showcasing his potential on the international stage.
Dorgu expressed his excitement about joining the Red Devils, calling it a momentous occasion for him and his family.
“I am incredibly proud to be able to call myself a Manchester United player; this is a very special day for my whole family,” Dorgu said in a club statement.
“I cannot wait to work with Ruben Amorim; his vision for this team and the future of the club is incredibly exciting.
There is a clear plan set out for my development, and I feel that Manchester United is the perfect place to fulfil my potential and complete my huge ambitions.”
The signing is seen as a solution to United’s long-standing issues on the left side of defense. Technical director Jason Wilcox hailed Dorgu’s versatility and potential to thrive in Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation, which emphasizes defensive stability and attacking dynamism.
“Patrick is a really exciting talent; his strong defensive and attacking attributes, adaptability, and work rate will make him a key part of Ruben Amorim’s squad,” Wilcox said.
“At the age of just 20, we know he will continue to develop under the guidance of our excellent coaching team.”
Manchester United’s financial maneuvering has been constrained by profit and sustainability rules, but the club is optimistic about raising funds before the transfer window closes on Monday.
Reports suggest that Marcus Rashford is close to sealing a loan move to Aston Villa, a deal that could significantly ease the burden of his reported £300,000-a-week wages. Meanwhile, youngster Alejandro Garnacho has been linked with a potential move to Napoli, although sources indicate he is unlikely to depart before the deadline.
