Manchester City have confirmed the arrival of goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli from Marseille for €2million. The 34-year-old has signed a two-year contract at the Etihad with the option of a third.
Competition for Donnarumma
Rulli arrives as competition for first-choice stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma, with the Italian having started all three of City's pre-season fixtures in Asia. He replaces James Trafford, who departed for Leeds United this summer in a deal worth at least £40m.
Argentina international Rulli returns to City having spent the 2016-17 season with the Blues without making a senior appearance. He will join Donnarumma and Marcus Bettinelli in City's senior goalkeeping group.
Loan moves and international pedigree
Highly-rated teenager Oli Whatmuff has joined League One side Stockport County on loan, while summer signing Pierce Charles has moved on loan to QPR in the Championship. Rulli has been capped eight times by Argentina and was part of the squads that won the World Cup in 2022 and the 2024 Copa America. He was not in the squad for this summer's World Cup when Argentina lost to Spain in the final.
On signing, the 'keeper said: "For me, when you say Manchester City, you see one of the best clubs in the world. In the moment you hear your name with Man City is something that I can’t describe. It’s one of, if not the best teams in the world. It was an easy decision. I come here to win everything. I know it will be very tough, but at the end we are Man City, we are one of the best teams in the world and we need to try to win everything and that is my goal."
