Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Dutch striker Joshua Zirkee from Bologna.

Zirkee, who started his career at Bayern Munich, was confirmed by the Old Trafford club as their first summer signing on Sunday at 4pm.

The forward was pictured having medical tests following Holland’s exit to England in the European Championship semi-final this week – United moved swiftly to seal the deal, agreeing a structured payment which will see the club pay slightly more than the contracted release clause in order to stagger the payments and thus help their flexibility for transfer activity in this window.

Known for his speed and quick feet, Zirkee will be a natural replacement for Anthony Martial, who departed on a free transfer after an underwhelming career at Old Trafford. Whilst not a prolific goalscorer so far at club level, Zirkee still boasts an average of a goal every three games, whilst his record at international level through the age groups is more impressive.

United have needed a striker for numerous windows, and at just 23, the new signing will hopefully spend his peak years at Old Trafford, and be a perfect complement for the different profile of forward players currently on the books.

It is a show of faith in the manager, Erik Ten Hag, after his contract extension was announced recently – and the club have seemingly backed him with a number of staff appointments, including the return of club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy, as his assistant.

As another Dutch player, albeit one with no professional Eredivisie experience, it boosts the numbers of Ten Hag’s compatriots at the club. If he can go anywhere near matching Van Nistelrooy’s numbers, Zirkee will certainly have some impact at his new club – though he does seem a very different sort of forward.

It is a move of bold intent from the new footballing operations team headed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who looks set to provide United with significant funds to strengthen in his first window in control.