After being told to find a new club by Manchester United, Hojlund had plenty of options, including a return to Italy, the country he left to join United in 2023. AC Milan were interested, but then Napoli picked up the phone.
Hojlund joins Napoli on an initial loan with a conditional obligation to buy for a fee of around £38 million. This move may just be the perfect fit for him.
Hojlund's time at Manchester United was marked by poor form, with an xG of just 5.24 in the Premier League last season. While he shares some blame, an analysis of his performances suggests that the team's lack of service and goals was a bigger issue.
Former United manager Ruben Amorim admitted that Hojlund's problems in front of goal were not solely his fault, saying that it was a team problem. Amorim also praised Hojlund's ability to drive at defenders and use his physicality in a more advanced role.
Hojlund is great at targeting the space between the centre back and the right back and is faster than many assume. Playing him in a more advanced role gives him the opportunity to drive at defenders and use his physicality that way.
He's also a decent finisher, but he doesn't shoot enough. Last season, he had just 32 shots, with 13 of them being on target. This could be due to a combination of not being used properly and a lack of confidence.
Napoli's move to sign Hojlund was brought on by Romelu Lukaku's injury. The big Belgian is expected to be out for three to four months. Conte plays in a more direct way than Erik ten Hag, which should suit Hojlund.
Conte's team plays with a lot of movement and quick through balls between the lines, which will allow Hojlund to use his pace and run into channels. His new manager also has formational flexibility, which means he can play Hojlund in different positions.
Napoli's new signing Lorenzo Lucca could be the perfect partner for Hojlund, as he's a target man who can play in a front two. This will allow Hojlund to play in a more advanced role and use his pace to drive at defenders.
Hojlund is still young and has the raw potential to become a top striker. He just wasn't the right fit for Manchester United tactically or environmentally. At Napoli, he has a manager who is willing to adapt to his style of play and an environment that will see him face less scrutiny.
If Scott McTominay's story is anything to go by, this will be another success story. Hojlund will have the chance to rediscover his form and become the striker he was meant to be.
