Javier Hernandez joins Bayer Leverkusen from 20-time Premier League champions Manchester United. The Mexican has signed for €10 million on a three-year deal, thus ending five season stint at Old Trafford.

Hernandez, also known as Chicharito, becomes yet another big-name to be shipped out of Manchester. He follows in the footsteps of Robin Van Persie and Radamel Falcao, leaving striking options scarce.

Promising start in Mexico earns him major move

The 27-year-old began his career at Guadalajara playing for both youth and first team between 1997 and 2010. During this time, scoring 29 goals in 80 professional games. The Guadalajara-born striker earned a move to Manchester United in 2010 after the legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson was made aware of his talent in 2009, the Red Devils signed him for a undisclosed fee.

It took him 18 minutes to open the scoring on his debut. After replacing Nani in the 2010 MLS-All Star game, Hernandez lobbed Nick Rimando after being set through on goal by now-West Bromwich Albion captain Darren Fletcher.

He made his competitive debut in the Community Shield and he took no time in breaking the competitive duck after coming on at half-time. In the 2010-11 season, he scored an impressive 20 goals in all competitions.

Following Alex Ferguson’s departure, Hernandez struggled to find the net and in his first season since the Scottish manager left he managed just nine goals in all competitions under David Moyes and Interim manager Ryan Giggs.

Hernandez has fallen out of favour in recent seasons

After Moyes’ sacking, Manchester United legend Giggs stepped up to take temporary charge and after the season ended he joined Louis Van Gaal’s backroom staff. In just two seasons with Van Gaal, Hernandez has played just five times, last season he spent most of his time out on loan in Spain with Spanish giants, Real Madrid.

Under Carlo Ancelotti, Hernandez got game time but most of it was as a second half substitute. He went on to play 23 times in La Liga for Real Madrid but failed to make the move permanent after struggling to find the net, after scoring just a handful of goals (seven).

Hernandez joins former-Borussia Dortmund attacker Kevin Kampl at the BayArena following the departure of Korean Heung-Min Son, who joined Tottenham Hotspur for £21 million. Hernandez becomes Roger Schmidt’s sixth signing of the summer.

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