Romelu Lukaku has signed a five year deal with Manchester United after joining from fellow northwest side Everton.
The Belgian striker becomes United’s second summer signing following last month’s arrival of Victor Lindelof.
The 24-year-old will link up with former Chelsea team mate Juan Mata, international team mate Marouane Fellaini and close friend Paul Pogba.
Considered one of the best all-round strikers in the game, Lukaku offers strength, height and an aerial presence, with his dribbling, pace and finishing abilities amongst his finer attributes as well.
The 6″3 mountain has featured in at least 30 league matches over the past five Premier League seasons, scoring 85 goals in 178 appearances in that time, second only to Sergio Aguero.
This goal-to-game ratio was a big factor as manager Jose Mourinho pursued his former Chelsea man, with over 30 goals and plenty of experience lost through the departures of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney.
Already vastly proven and experienced at such a young age, the potential remains for Lukaku to become one of the world’s top attackers, and he’ll get the chance to taste Champions League football for the first time next season.
Securing this signing under the noses of Chelsea when it seemed he was destined to return to Stamford Bridge is another box ticked with not a negative in sight when dissecting the plus points of this transfer.
Knowing the likes of Mourinho, Fellaini, Mata and Pogba bodes well, as they can transform their relationships onto the pitch as United look to compete on all fronts.
With the Blues from London offering the same fee and wages as United stumped up, financial incentives were clearly not behind this move.
Having expressed his desire to win major trophies season upon season, this mentality aligns fittingly with that of the club, as Mourinho hopes to mount a serious title charge.
The previous campaign, although successful come its close, saw a slightly underwhelming Premier League finish of 6th place.
Draws, particularly at home, were as much to blame for the low finish, but the cresting of chances was not the concern but the taking of such chances.
Adding Lukaku, a proven finisher, to the armoury and ranks, should see United become more clinical, and make up the ground lost through countless missed chances, especially those at Old Trafford.
Certainly planning for the long-term, Mournho within the space of one year has moulded a spine that consists of David De Gea, Eric Bailly, Pogba and Lukaku, towering in presence and healthy in age.
These are exciting times for United and we welcome Lukaku to the club and wish him every success during his spell at the Old Trafford.