CARDIFF — Andreas Cornelius is set to become Denmark’s most expensive footballer after FC Copenhagen agreed to sell the highly rated striker to English Premier League newcomer Cardiff for a reported 65 million kroner ($11.4 million).
The 20-year-old Cornelius, who scored a league-high 18 goals in 32 games to help Copenhagen to the Danish title last season, is the rising star of the national team and one of the stars of a new generation of Denmark players.
The reported price would be slightly higher than the 63 million kroner Liverpool spent to sign centre back Daniel Agger from Brondby in 2006.
"This deal is just extraordinary," said Copenhagen sporting director Carsten V. Jensen, adding that the club had not been planning to sell Cornelius.
A powerful, left-footed striker, Cornelius made his way through Denmark’s youth teams before representing the senior side. He has seven full caps, scoring once.
Copenhagen said it expected Cornelius’ medical check to be a formality.
Cardiff, which is owned by Malaysian millionaire Vincent Tan, won the second-tier League Championship in April to clinch a spot in the Premier League for the first time in its history.
The Welsh club has made signing a striker a priority, with veteran Heidar Helguson top-scoring with just eight goals last season.