The first new Manchester United signing of the 2016-17 season has been made. 16-year-old Swiss striker Nishan Burkart is set to join the Red Devils next season after committing to leave FC Zurich to join the Premier League giants.
According to the Express, Burkart’s father Stefan confirmed to the Swiss newspaper Blick that the young striker will leave his current club and complained about the disappointing treatment by the Swiss club amidst interest from major European clubs.
“We have decided to leave the club in the summer. Nishan switches to Manchester United,” Stafan Burkart said.
“This reaction by (Zurich president) Mr Canepa has disappointed us. We would have liked a more dignified exit. It makes me feel as if he is offended. He could indeed be proud.
“He has not got many 16-year-olds with more than a dozen requests from top foreign clubs. He just has different ideas, such is business.
“It has affected my son. Now, however, he no longer suffers. He is looking forward to Man United.”
Following the announcement, FC Zurich president Ancillo Canepa confirmed that Burkart will no longer be featured for the team’s squad.
“Our U16 player Nishan Burkart’s family have decided to move their son to Manchester United,” Canepa said.
“Therefore we decided not to use the player. Here we are concerned with the squad planning for next season. We want the place already to make a player available who will play next season, but Nishan continues to participate in team training.”
Burkart would likely join one of Man United’s Under- squads once the move is made official in the summer.
Assuming Jose Mourinho does, in fact, take over the reins at the club next season, it could be a long time before Burkart gets any reps with the Man United first team based on how little he used his young strikers at Chelsea and Real Madrid.
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