February 2nd 2025.
After an impressive performance in Lecce's 3-1 victory over Parma, Patrick Dorgu was seen waving goodbye to the fans, hinting at a possible departure from the club. And now, it has been confirmed that Manchester United have secured the signing of the 20-year-old left-back from Lecce for a staggering fee of £29million.
Dorgu, who is highly regarded as one of the most promising young wing-backs in European football, has signed a five-and-a-half year contract with the Red Devils. This move comes as a priority for United, as they have been looking to strengthen their left side of defense, especially with Luke Shaw facing persistent injury issues over the past two seasons.
As the first signing of Ruben Amorim's tenure as head coach, Dorgu joins five other new recruits who have joined United since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's partial takeover of the club last year. Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, and Noussair Mazraoui all made their way to the Theatre of Dreams under the INEOS ownership.
Dorgu's departure from Lecce was evident when he bid farewell to the supporters after their game on Friday night before catching a flight to Manchester the following morning for his medical. Expressing his excitement, Dorgu said, "I am incredibly proud to be a part of Manchester United. This is a special day for my entire family."
The young Dane is excited to work with Amorim, who he believes has a clear vision for the team and the future of the club. Dorgu is determined to fulfill his potential and achieve his ambitions at United, which he believes is the perfect place for his development.
One of the key reasons United were keen on signing Dorgu was his tactical flexibility and versatility, which makes him a perfect fit for Amorim's 3-4-3 system. He has impressed on both flanks since making his debut for Lecce in August 2023, using his pace and power to trouble defenders in the final third.
With 57 appearances in all competitions for Lecce, Dorgu has already made a name for himself in Serie A, scoring two goals and providing an assist in the league this season. He has also earned four caps for the senior Denmark national team, showcasing his potential at the international level as well.
It was not an easy task for United to secure Dorgu's services, as they faced stiff competition from Napoli, who reportedly made a verbal offer for the young defender last month. This big-money sale is a huge profit for Lecce, who had signed Dorgu from Nordsjaelland's academy for just €200,000 in 2022.
While United were also considering other options like Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth and Nuno Mendes from Paris Saint-Germain, they were determined to bring Dorgu to Old Trafford this winter. And now, with their defensive concerns addressed, United are looking to strengthen their attack with a potential move for Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel, who recently turned down a move to Tottenham.
In other news, Marcus Rashford is expected to leave United for Aston Villa, while the Red Devils are also keeping an eye on Aston Villa's Leon Bailey for a potential move. With Dorgu's arrival, United have made a statement of intent and are determined to continue their pursuit of success under the INEOS ownership.
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