Riyad Mahrez has become Manchester City’s record signing after joining the club from Leicester City following a summer of protracted transfer negotiations with the Foxes to become their first signing of the summer.
Mahrez, 27, will wear his favoured number 26 jersey at City after arriving on a five-year contract with the deal believed to be worth £60m to Leicester and will be joining the squad for pre-season preparations and tour of the United States.
The Algerian international missed out on a transfer to City in January after City balked at Leicester’s initial asking price but despite a summer of protracted negotiations, which reportedly at one time included talks over City winger Patrick Roberts as part of a swap deal, finally arrived for much less than his quoted price of £95m earlier this year.
With a magnificent left foot and the attacking instincts that provided ten assists for Leicester last season – a figure beaten by only four title-winning Manchester City players last term – Mahrez will offer another attacking option to City boss Pep Guardiola.
Upon joining Guardiola’s City, Riyad Mahrez said:
“I am so pleased to have joined City, a side playing great football under Pep Guardiola.
“Watching them from afar has been a pleasure. Pep is committed to playing attacking football, which is perfect for me, and City’s performances last season were outstanding. They’re redefining the English game and I wanted to be a part of it.
“I think we can be successful over the coming years and I believe my own game can develop under Pep’s management.”
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added:
“Riyad is a hugely talented player. He beats defenders and creates space.
“Over the past few years, he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting players.
“We’re sure he will bring additional attacking quality to our squad.”