Rasmus Højlund described his farewell to Manchester United as “weird” and emotional after his switch to Napoli was confirmed on Sunday. Napoli’s 3-0 win over Pisa sealed qualification for next season’s Champions League and, ESPN reported, triggered an obligation in Højlund’s contract that will make the transfer permanent for €44 million.
The Dane, who joined Napoli on loan at the end of last summer’s transfer window, posted a photo of his goal celebration and reflected on the move in an Instagram message. He said the strike felt symbolic because it both secured Champions League qualification for Napoli and, due to the terms of his deal, made him officially a Napoli player while prompting a farewell to Manchester United.
Højlund wrote that the transition feels strange because he already felt like a Napoli player over the past year, praising the club’s supporters for helping him regain confidence. He thanked Napoli fans for making him feel at home and expressed gratitude to Manchester United’s fans, team and staff for helping fulfil his childhood dream of playing at Old Trafford in a red jersey.
The forward added that the goal represents a new, confident start and pledged to give everything for Napoli going forward. Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, had described the permanent deal as a matter of “formality” last year.
Per the report, the 23-year-old moved to Old Trafford in 2023 and scored 14 Premier League goals across two seasons with Manchester United. He has found the net 11 times for Napoli this season, with one match remaining in the Italian top flight.
