MANCHESTER UNITED have completed the loan signing of Wout Weghorst from Burnley.
The Netherlands striker has joined the Red Devils on loan until June following a prolific first half of the season in Turkey with Besiktas.
GETTYManchester United have confirmed the loan signing of Wout Weghorst from Burnley[/caption]
GETTYThe Netherlands international has joined the Red Devils on loan for the rest of the season[/caption]
GETTYWeghorst is relishing the challenge of playing for United[/caption]
United chief Erik ten Hag has forked out £2.5million to cut short his fellow Dutchman’s stay with the Super Lig outfit.
Weghorst is relishing the new challenge on his plate, saying: “I feel privileged to be joining Manchester United.
“I’ve played against the club in the past and it’s a fantastic feeling to now have the chance to pull on the famous red shirt.
“I’ve seen United’s progress under Erik ten Hag this season and can’t wait to start playing my part in pushing the team towards its aims.
“Whatever happens in the next few months, I can promise to give everything to the club for as long as I am here.
“I thank everyone who has played a part in getting me to this stage, and now I am looking forward to meeting my new teammates and getting involved straight away.”
Ten Hag confirmed the arrival of the 30-year-old earlier today, saying: “We are close.”
Weghorst, however, won’t be available for Saturday’s derby with Manchester City as his move to Old Trafford wasn’t registered in time.
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United director John Murtough said of striker: “Wout has a consistent goalscoring record across several European leagues, and his attributes will add a further dimension to our squad for the remainder of the season.
“We were also attracted by his strong personality and dedicated approach to football, which fits perfectly with the spirit that Erik is building within our squad.
“He has shown a huge desire to join Manchester United and be part of what we’re striving to achieve this season.”
Besiktas announced the termination of Weghorst’s loan before United announced his arrival.
A club statement read: “The temporary transfer agreement with our professional football player Wout Weghorst and his club has been terminated by mutual agreement with the player and his club.
“Due to the early termination of the contract by the Burnley FC club, a termination fee of EUR 2,825,000 [£2.5m] will be paid to our Company.”
United will look to exact revenge on their title-chasing neighbours for the 6-3 drubbing they suffered last October.
Ten Hag said of their humiliating last meeting: “It was a lesson, we took the lesson and from that point on we have made huge progress so we have to continue the progress.
“That game was a setback, we can all find reasons why but it is always about having to act, to deliver.
“As a manager, a coach, you have to go through certain steps, you need a clear philosophy, a clear point where you want to go… a direction.
“Then it is about development and that is what we did but like many things in life, and particularly football, there is never an endpoint.”