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Manchester City complete record €117m signing of Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish has completed a £100million (€117m) move from Aston Villa to Manchester City.  ...



Manchester City complete recor...
Soccer

Manchester City complete record €117m signing of Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish has completed a £100million (€117m) move from Aston Villa to Manchester City. 

The England midfielder has put pen to paper on a six-year deal at the Etihad.

Still just 25, Grealish had amassed 213 Villa appearances, chipping in with 32 goals and 43 assists.

He's comfortably become the most expensive purchase in big-spending City's history, and the deal is the priciest completed by a Premier League club, trumping the €105m Manchester United forked out for Paul Pogba in 2016.

Grealish will wear the no.10 at City.

"I am incredibly happy to have joined Manchester City,” the former Republic of Ireland U21 player of the year said.

“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.

“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 boss Pep Guardiola has been a public admirer of Grealish for some time.

Following a Carabao Cup tie against Villa in October of last year, the City boss said, "He’s incredible. A top player. I’m happy he stayed in the Championship to defend his club when he could have gone.

"He’s a talented player who always creates something. [Grealish] is an exceptional player but too expensive for Manchester!"

Clearly the latter claim has proved inaccurate with City director of football Txiki Begiristain saying, "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.

“I am certain that the fans are going to love seeing him in our team. Pep loves the way he plays, and we all feel he is an ideal fit for Manchester City.

"Our style and his style are a perfect match. I’m excited to watch him over the coming years.”

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Aston Villa Jack Grealish Manchester City Pep Guardiola