Versatile full back Danilo has joined Manchester City for a fee believed to be in the region of £26.5m from Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old Brazilian signed a five year deal and will join the club on their pre-season tour of America.
Joining on a five-year deal from Real Madrid…
Are you excited about our latest acquisition? #welcomedanilo pic.twitter.com/0MrX93m93u
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 23, 2017
Although nominally a right back Danilo can play in a variety of defensive positions and it’s this flexibility that attracted City boss Pep Guardiola.
Danilo was delighted to join City, and the Champions League winner was looking forward to playing in the competition with his new team mates.
He said: “It’s a big day and a pleasure to be part of this team. I hope to meet the expectations. I’m really looking forward to the challenge and I would love to win the Champions League with Manchester City.
“I think a player who can play in different positions at a good level has an advantage, and becomes very important for the team as well.
“I don’t have a favourite position. I am used to playing as right back but any time I’m on the pitch in the starting 11, I’m always happy.
“He [Guardiola] told me I’m ready and that I can play in several positions, right back, left back, midfield. I just hope to help him out as he expects.
“I love his playing style and he’s convinced me in the talks we’ve had. I’m looking forward to working with him but it’s also the ambitious project of the club that convinced me to come.”
Danilo joins the increasing ranks of Brazilians at City, with Gabriel Jesus, Ederson Moraes, Fernando and Fernandinho – the latter of whom has already spoken with City’s newest recruit and all will help him settle in.
Danilo said: “I had a few words with Fernandinho and I hope they help me settle down as quickly as possible. To the Club, to the city and to Pep’s managerial style, and all that helps the Club win trophies.”
City remain short of defenders and, with Eliaqium Mangala unwanted, could move for an additional left sided centre back after the departure of Aleksandar Kolarov was confirmed.
Kolarov had a year remaining on his City contract but had declared his desire to leave the club and Guardiola agreed to let the Serbian go to AS Roma for a fee believed to be around £4.5m on a three year contract.
https://twitter.com/ASRomaEN/status/888875031291461632
The 31-year-old former Lazio player joined up with his new team mates in Boston on their pre-season tour.
UPDATE: Reports suggest that Monaco left back Benjamin Mendy is on his way to join up with Manchester City in their California training base ahead of a potential world record transfer fee for a defender.