Former Gunner shrugs off Zlatan comparisons after sealing move | OneFootball

Nikolaj Møller insists he is not interested in being measured against Zlatan Ibrahimović as he prepares for his first taste of the Dundee derby.

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The 23-year-old striker joined Dundee United from St Gallen on a two-year contract with the option to extend to 2028 and is expected to feature against Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday.

“It’s the perfect set-up to come in and play a big game like this so I am really excited,” Møller said.

Early in his career, his height and Malmo background led to inevitable comparisons with Ibrahimović after he moved to Arsenal in 2020.

Møller doesn’t care much for the label. “It is something I don’t look at too much. I try to focus on myself and be the best version of myself everyday.

“The comparisons (with Zlatan) are because I am tall and I came from the same team as him as well. I just want to improve and make the best career I can for myself.”

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Møller spent three years at Arsenal, making 20 appearances for the under-23s and producing 10 goal contributions.

He was sent on loan to Viktoria Köln in Germany and FC Den Bosch in the Netherlands before leaving permanently for St Gallen in 2023.

Last season he was loaned to Strømsgodset in Norway, and after 47 senior appearances across Switzerland and Norway, he has now returned to the UK.

United manager Jim Goodwin believes Møller’s background and attributes will translate well to Scottish football.

“Nikolaj has a terrific physical profile which is perfectly-suited to the combative nature of the Scottish Premiership, but he’s more than just a traditional target man,” Goodwin said.

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“He has the rare blend of height, technical ability and raw pace, which allows him both to play with his back to goal and link the game or stretch opposition defences with selfless runs into the channels.

“These attributes gave him the opportunity to learn within some elite footballing environments during his formative years, and he’s a more well-rounded player thanks to those experiences.”

Møller, who will wear the number 77 shirt, now has the chance to settle after a nomadic start to his senior career. “The platform and club is just perfect for me. I can’t wait to start,” he added.

Møller has been able to train fully with his new team-mates and is expected to be involved when the Dundee clubs meet in one of Scotland’s most intense derbies.