Manchester City sign Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli in £2m deal
Manchester City have completed the £2m signing of Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille to provide backup for Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The World Cup winner arrives to bolster the goalkeeping department after James Trafford recently departed the Etihad to become the new first-choice stopper at Leeds United.
Rulli has agreed a two-year contract that will keep him in Manchester until 2028.
It marks a return to English football for the experienced shot-stopper, who previously spent the 2016-17 season with City without making a senior appearance.
European pedigree and international success
The former Ajax and Villarreal star is best remembered by British fans for his dramatic heroics against Manchester United in the 2021 Europa League final.
During a tense penalty shootout, the South American famously converted his own spot-kick before making the decisive save to secure the continental trophy for the Spanish side.
At international level, he has earned eight caps for his country and was a member of the Argentina squad that lifted the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
An amazing opportunity
When the chance to join Manchester City comes along you have to go for it.
The returning player expressed his excitement about rejoining a club with such an impressive track record of long-term success and incredibly high standards.
My job now is to train hard, get to know the players and staff and do everything I can to reach my best level.
City’s football director Hugo Viana praised the acquisition, highlighting the obvious top-level experience the new signing will bring to the dressing room.
It is clear we are getting a brilliant professional, as well as a top keeper.
Viana confirmed the Argentine will form part of a strong goalkeeping unit alongside Italian international Donnarumma and fellow squad member Marcus.