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Joshua Zirkzee, 23, has faced a challenging spell at Manchester United since his £36.5 million transfer from Bologna in the summer. Despite a promising start, where he scored on his debut against Fulham, the Dutch forward has struggled to establish himself as a consistent starter. Competing with Rasmus Højlund for the central striker role, Zirkzee has managed just four goals in 25 appearances, with United manager Ruben Amorim frequently favoring Højlund in attack.
In addition to his on-field struggles, Zirkzee has reportedly endured personal challenges. According to GSM, the striker recently split from his longtime partner, Celina Jada Kerr. The pair, who were childhood sweethearts, began their relationship during Zirkzee's time at Bayern Munich, where he joined as a 16-year-old. Kerr, a German model and social media influencer, holds a degree in Media and Communication Management from Berlin. She supported Zirkzee throughout his stints at Bayern, Bologna, and his loan spells at Parma and Anderlecht.
The couple maintained a relatively private relationship, rarely sharing details on social media. However, they gained public attention during a JD Sports video shoot, where they were seen embracing while modeling unisex tracksuits. Kerr later posted highlights from the shoot on her Instagram, a rare glimpse into their relationship.
Speculation about their split began after Kerr was notably absent in Manchester following Zirkzee's move to Old Trafford. The absence of shared photos during the summer further fueled rumors. Recent reports now confirm the breakup, with the two unfollowing each other on social media. Kerr, however, still follows Zirkzee's father, suggesting a degree of mutual respect as they move on with their separate lives.
Zirkzee's off-field challenges have coincided with a turbulent time on the pitch. He was substituted after 54 minutes during Manchester United's dismal 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday, a performance that came just days after he scored off the bench against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup. With only 10 starts to his name since joining the Red Devils, Zirkzee will be looking to turn his fortunes around as United face Wolves at Molineux on Boxing Day. Whether he can regain his form and secure a more prominent role in Amorim's plans remains to be seen.
