Joshua Zirkzee's Fashion Transformation: From Footballer to 90s Rapper
Joshua Zirkzee is trying to change the narrative – and not just on the pitch.
The Manchester United forward has flown in a stylist from the Netherlands to overhaul his look, determined to swap the standard footballer aesthetic for something closer to a 90s rapper.
From £36.5m hope to uncertain future
Zirkzee arrived at Old Trafford from Bologna in 2024 with a £36.5million price tag and the expectation he would help solve United’s long-standing issues up front. It has not worked out that way so far.
The 25-year-old scored just twice in 24 appearances last season and struggled to nail down a regular place. His form has already sparked talk of a return to Italy this summer, even as he features in pre-season under Michael Carrick and prepares to face Leeds in Dublin on Wednesday.
On the pitch, his role for the coming campaign remains unclear. Off it, he has made one thing very clear: he wants a fresh start.
“Like a rapper from the 90s”
Enter Sydney Luchies, a wardrobe stylist based in the Netherlands, who has been documenting her work with Zirkzee on TikTok.
She explained how the project began with an idea and a mood board before turning into a full-scale fashion reset. Zirkzee’s brief was simple and striking: he wanted to “look like a rapper from the 90s” – but with his own twist.
“I start by making a mood board. Once the mood board is approved, I start making the outfits and once the outfits are approved, I start to order everything and then it’s time for delivery,” Luchies said in an earlier video.
“Joshua lives in Manchester, so this time we flew to England. Once I arrived, I started preparing all the outfits for the fitting and Joshua wanted to look like a rapper from the 90s – with his own touch. So, I think we did well.”
The images show a player leaning into a more expressive, retro style, far removed from the usual designer tracksuits and logo-heavy tunnel shots.
Closet cleared, space for something new
The fashion reboot did not stop at a few new outfits. Luchies returned to Manchester for a full closet clean, filming herself working through Zirkzee’s sprawling wardrobe.
“Come with me to do a closet clean for Joshua Zirkzee,” she told followers. “Joshua asked if I could help him reorganise his closet, create a bit more space for new things, and make it all neat and organised.”
Unworn and unwanted clothes were sorted into colour-co-ordinated piles. High-end items are set to be sold, with the rest earmarked for charity – a total reset, both stylistically and physically, to make room for what comes next.
Luchies is no stranger to the professional game. She has previously worked with Burnley defender Quilindschy Hartman, currently on loan at Espanyol, and has styled shoots for PSV Eindhoven while collaborating with brands such as Adidas, Puma and New Balance.
Describing herself as an “all-round wardrobe stylist and creative”, she writes that she sees outfits and concepts as “a form of art and self-expression” and aims to blend her clients’ wishes with her own vision.
New look, same pressure
For Zirkzee, the hope is obvious. A revamped image can often mirror a reset in mindset. After a difficult first season and a fee that still hangs heavy, he needs a breakthrough year.
United invested heavily to bring him to Old Trafford. He has yet to show his best version in a red shirt.
The clothes have changed. Now the question is whether the football will follow.
