The 25-year-old English midfielder joins Pep Guardiola’s side on a six-year deal after the Premier League champions activated the release clause in his Villa contract.
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Manchester City have signed Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for a reported £100m in what turns out to be the biggest deal in English football history. The England international joins Pep Guardiola’s side on a six-year deal after the Premier League champions activated the £100m release clause in his Villa contract on Friday, according to skysports. Thereby, the reported transfer fee eclipses the previous record in English football held by Paul Pogba’s move to Manchester United from Juventus in 2016. Grealish leaves Villa after having made 213 appearances across all competitions over the course of eight seasons, scoring 32 goals in the process.
Man City have confirmed that the English midfielder will wear the number 10 shirt that was recently left vacant following the departure of veteran Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero. “I am incredibly happy to have joined Manchester City,” Grealish told the club’s website. “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.”
Introducing…our new number ?
? #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/yb4fSSnEmg
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 5, 2021
Meanwhile, Director of Football Txiki Begiristain, speaking about the latest signing, said, “We are absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Jack Grealish to Manchester City. He is an incredible talent. Jack’s development over the past few seasons both for club and country has been plain for everybody to see. His natural talent together with his commitment to improve as a player, has seen him become one of the most exciting attacking players in world football today.
“I am certain that the fans are going to love seeing him in our team. Pep loves the way he plays, and we all feel he is an ideal fit for Manchester City. Our style and his style are a perfect match. I’m excited to watch him over the coming years.”
The 25-year-old Jack Grealish is a player who possesses amazing natural ability and flair, which will provide a new dimension to City’s attack. He carries the ball well, has quick feet, can keep the ball in the tightest of spaces under pressure. With a great vision, Grealish has the ability to consistently provide defence-splitting passes.
Joining Villa’s academy as a six-year-old, his first taste of notable youth success came when he won UEFA’s NextGen under-19 tournament in 2013. Gradually with time, he started becoming an important player for the senior side.
He was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year in 2018-19 as Villa won promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs. In their first year back in the top flight, Villa reached the League Cup final, losing 2-1 to City, as Grealish made 41 appearances in all competitions.
