Nathan Ake has become the second player to sign for Manchester City as they seek to regain the Premier League title next season.
The Dutch defender joined from Bournemouth for a fee of £40m after Chelsea, the club from whose youth systen Ake graduated from, declined to activate the clause in his Bournemouth contract allowing them to speak to their former player if they matched City’s offer.
He has signed a 5-year deal with the Blues.
Ake, 25, has been an FA Youth Cup winner with Chelsea and also lifted the U-17 European Championship title in both 2011 and 2012 for the Netherlands.
He was named in the Team of the Tournament in the 2012 edition after captaining the side and scoring a penalty in the final shootout.
Ake had loan spells at Reading and Watford before joining Bournemouth where he became an established Premier League defender after making his loan move permanent in 2017.
He played in every Premier League game for Cherries in the 17/18 and 18/19 seasons, making a total of 109 appearances before moving on to City after three years on the south coast.
The left-footed Dutchman is expected to understudy Aymeric Laporte in City’s squad and, having been through Chelsea’s youth system, also qualifies as a home grown player to meet UEFA competition rules.
His flexibility could also see him play at left back or as a defensive midfielder although his perceived weakness in the air – he is only around 6’ tall – may have contributed to Chelsea looking elsewhere for a defender this summer.
Following hot on the heels of the signing of Ferran Torres yesterday Ake arrived in Manchester and quickly finalised the deal which saw him leave the Vitality Stadium to join City.
Commenting on the deal, Ake said: “City have been the best side in England over the course of the last decade.
“Coming here is a dream for me. This is a top side full of world-class players. Everywhere you look in this squad there are big names with international pedigree.
“Pep is a manager admired across the world – what he’s done in the game speaks for itself. The success he’s had is unbelievable and the style of football he plays really appeals to me.
“I know I’m going to have to work hard to get into the side, but that’s what I’m here to do. I’ll do whatever I can to make an impact and help the team win silverware.”
Txiki Begiristain added: “Nathan is a quality defender. He was a leader during his time at Bournemouth, and I am so pleased we’ve managed to bring him here.
“He’s strong and quick, and we feel he has the technical and intellectual attributes needed to excel in Pep’s setup.
“Working with this squad, which is full of world-class players, will raise his level, and we are looking forward to seeing what he can achieve here in the coming years.”