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Rayan Ait-Nouri signed a five-year contract with Manchester City from Wolverhampton Wanderers for around £33.7 million.
Rayan Ait-Nouri signed with Manchester City (X)
Algerian defender Rayan Ait-Nouri has signed a five-year contract with Manchester City, moving from Wolverhampton Wanderers ahead of this month’s Club World Cup, the club announced on Monday.
While financial details remain undisclosed, British media reported a fee of around £33.7 million ($45.69 million) for the 24-year-old, who had one year left on his Wolves contract.
Ait-Nouri initially joined Wolves on loan from Ligue 1 side Angers in 2020, making the move permanent a year later. He departs after five seasons with Wolves, having made 157 appearances, scoring 12 goals and registering 19 assists.
“City are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and playing for them is a dream come true,” Ait-Nouri said. “I am also very excited about working with Pep (Guardiola) and his coaching team, and training and playing alongside such a world-class group of players.”
Last season, Ait-Nouri impressed at both ends of the pitch. Among defenders, only Fulham’s Antonee Robinson surpassed his assist tally. He also ranked fourth among defenders in goals and chances created.
City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, said the club had been tracking Ait-Nouri for “quite some time”. “He already has extensive Premier League experience and has also shown his quality at international level with Algeria,” Begiristain added.
Wolves have now lost two key players from last season, following Brazil forward Matheus Cunha’s move to Manchester United on 1 June.
City finished third in the 2023-24 Premier League season, securing Champions League qualification on the final day.
Guardiola’s side will next compete in the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia. They face Club Leon in their opening game on 18 December, before matches against Urawa Red Diamonds and Al-Ahly in their other Group B fixtures.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket, having cov…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket, having cov… Read More
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