Man Utd have announced Borussia Monchengladbach have succeeded in signing Dillon Hoogewerf, and the finer details of the move suggest United were unsure about the deal.
The 18-year-old Dutchman moved to Old Trafford from Ajax in 2019. Predominantly a right winger, Hoogewerf had operated in the Premier League 2 this season with United’s Under-23s.
However, Bundesliga clubs have often looked to poach the best and brightest within the English game.
Indeed, Borussia Dortmund reaped the rewards in some style when snatching Jadon Sancho from Man City in 2017 and Jude Bellingham from Birmingham City in 2020.
Now, per United’s official website, Monchengladbach have walked that same path by signing Hoogewerf.
The move was presumably agreed prior to Monday’s deadline and has now been officially confirmed after receiving international clearance. The United statement described the move as a ‘permanent’ one.
Man United add key clauses
ESPN’s Rob Dawson, as well as the Manchester Evening News, shed further light on the switch.
Dawson stated United have received an ‘undisclosed fee’, and have included multiple clauses into the deal.
The Red Devils have negotiated a sell-on clause, along with receiving a fee if Monchengladbach loan Hoogewerf out in the future.
That was backed up by the MEN, though their report stated United weren’t actively looking to sell Hoogewerf.
However, the club has an embarrassment of riches in the forward ranks. As such, the teenager’s chances of penetrating the first eleven any time soon were extremely slim.
Accordingly, Man Utd agreed to facilitate a move when Monchengladbach came calling.