Manchester City have officially announced the signing of Italian international goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth £26 million. The 26-year-old has agreed to a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, with the option to extend by a further year.
The move comes following Ederson’s surprise exit to Turkish side Fenerbahce on deadline day for a reported £12 million. Gianluigi Donnarumma had been identified as Pep Guardiola’s top choice to replace the Brazilian, with talks accelerating rapidly over the final days of the window.
Gianluigi Donnarumma arrives in Manchester with a glittering résumé. He made his Serie A debut at the age of sixteen and quickly established himself as one of the most promising goalkeepers of his generation.
At City, Gianluigi Donnarumma will compete with James Trafford, who returned to the club earlier this summer from Burnley in a £27m deal. Trafford has impressed in the opening three Premier League fixtures, leaving Guardiola with a big decision over who will start in the Manchester derby next week.
Gianluigi Donnarumma will wear the No.99 shirt, the number he made iconic during his AC Milan career in honour of his birth year (1999). At PSG, Ligue 1 rules forced him to wear No.1, which Trafford will continue to hold at City.
Speaking after his unveiling, Donnarumma expressed his excitement about joining the reigning Premier League champions:
“To have signed for Manchester City is such a special and proud moment for me. This club has set the standard in football over the past decade, and to now be part of this project is truly an honour. I want to put myself to the test in the Premier League, fight for the biggest trophies, and help this incredible team succeed. I cannot wait to get started.”
City’s Director of Football Txiki Begiristain praised the signing, highlighting Donnarumma’s pedigree and potential:
“Gigi is one of the finest goalkeepers in the world and still at an age where he can continue to grow. His experience at club and international level is outstanding, and he knows what it takes to win at the very highest level. With him and James Trafford, we have two exceptional keepers who will push each other to be the best. It is the perfect scenario for the future of this club.”
Manager Pep Guardiola also welcomed the addition, emphasizing Donnarumma’s leadership and mentality:
“We are delighted to have Gigi here with us. He brings character, presence, and a winning mentality to our squad. It is never easy to replace someone like Ederson, who has been so important to us, but Donnarumma has shown throughout his career that he thrives under pressure. I am excited to work with him and James, and I believe the competition will make us even stronger.”
The deal concludes a busy summer window for Manchester City, who have undergone significant changes following the departures of several senior players. Donnarumma becomes the latest high-profile addition as Guardiola continues to reshape his squad for another title challenge, both domestically and in Europe.
