Manchester United academy striker Dillon Hoogewerf secured a last-minute permanent move to Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach yesterday for an undisclosed fee. However, the deal includes an initial loan fee and a sell-on fee.
‘Manchester United Academy forward Dillon Hoogewerf has completed a transfer to Borussia Monchengladbach.
The Dutchman’s permanent move has now received international clearance.’ – Manchester United’s official website stated.
Win-Win For All Parties Involved?
Having come through the ranks at Eredivisie side Ajax, Hoogewerf joined Manchester United in the summer of 2019 at sixteen. The Dutchman enjoyed a stellar 2020/21 season with United’s Under-18 Premier League team as he bagged 12 goals in 19 appearances.
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Nonetheless, he failed to perform with the same intensity for the Under-23 side, often struggling to find a regular place in the starting eleven due to cut-throat competition. This season, the Almere-born forward featured 16 times across all competitions (Premier League 2, the UEFA Youth League and EFL Trophy), scoring only twice. According to several reports, the coaches weren’t particularly impressed with his development due to a lack of consistency and the inability to make immediate adjustments.
Hoogewerf’s best season for the Under-18s last season came in partnership with Charlie McNeill, where he recorded nine goals and twelve assists.
Manchester United are blessed with plenty of attacking options at the academy level, so the sale could be deemed as a fair piece of business for all the parties involved. The 6-times U-17 Netherlands international will be joining up with Borussia Monchengladbach’s Under-23 team, hoping to rack up a series of good performances and make his way to the senior side.
Jadon Sancho (from Manchester City, 2017) and Jude Bellingham (from Birmingham City, 2020) are prime examples of Bundesliga clubs poaching and nurturing the best youngsters. If things work out similarly, Dillon Hoogewerf might be the next name on the list.
