Premier League champions Manchester City has broken the British transfer record by completing the signing of Jack Grealish for £100m from Aston Villa.
The England international has signed a six-year contract and is expected to make his debut in the Community Shield clash with Leicester City at Wembley.
“I am incredibly happy to have joined Manchester City, 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,” Grealish said.
“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.”
City director of football Txiki Begiristain said:
“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.”
Along with Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Grealish was identified as a top target for Pep Guardiola as he aims to defend the Premier League title and go one better in the Champions League after losing last season’s final to Chelsea.
City have smashed their own transfer record set last summer when they paid £62m for defender Ruben Dias from Benfica, as well as surpassing the Premier League transfer record £89m deal that saw Paul Pogba move from Juventus to Manchester United in 2016.
Grealish will add even more threat to the Premier League champions and can play as either a winger or as an attacking midfielder.
