Manchester City have completed their second signing of the summer, with Jack Grealish arriving from Aston Villa for a British record £100 million transfer fee.
As confirmed on the club’s official website, Manchester City have signed England international midfielder Jack Grealish from Aston Villa. The 25-year-old becomes the Cityzens’ second arrival after the free transfer signing of Scott Carson.
A product of the Aston Villa youth academy, Grealish grew into a superstar at the Midlands’ club over the past few years. The Englishman helped the Villans earn promotion back to the Premier League and has since been one of the best performers in the top-flight, while also establishing a foothold in the England national team.
Grealish went on to make 213 appearances for Aston Villa, scoring 32 goals and setting up 43 more. Talks over a move to the Etihad had been doing the rounds all summer, with the intensity picking up over the past week or so. And, Manchester City have finally managed to get their hands on the 25-year-old, who has signed a six-year contract with the Premier League champions.
A report from Sky Sports claims that Pep Guardiola’s side have shelled out a massive £100 million in transfer fees to secure Grealish’s signing from Villa. It is not only a club-record fee but also a British record, eclipsing the £93 million that neighbours Manchester United had shelled out for Paul Pogba in the summer of 2016.
HE'S HERE!
We are delighted to announce the signing of @JackGrealish on a six-year deal.
Welcome to City, Jack! ?
? #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/5Y3gMREmKL
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 5, 2021
“I am incredibly happy to have joined Manchester City,” Grealish said upon his unveiling. “City are the best team in the country with a manager considered to be the best in the world – it’s a dream come true to be part of this club. Over the past 10 seasons, they have won major trophies consistently. Pep coming here has taken them to the next level and the football this team plays is the most exciting in Europe.
“To play for Pep and learn from him is going to be special and it’s something any top footballer would want. The facilities are amazing, and I honestly can’t wait to get started, meet everyone and get playing.”
It has been further confirmed by the club that Grealish will be wearing the No. 10 jersey that was left vacant by the departure of club legend and all-time leading goalscorer Sergio Aguero this summer.
As for Aston Villa, it does come as a major blow considering that Grealish was their club captain and their best player. However, Dean Smith’s side have roped in Leon Bailey, who can make the left flank his own at Villa Park.
