Rodri transfer: Manchester City complete club record £62.8m signing from Atletico Madrid
The Premier League champions see the 23-year-old Spaniard as the successor to Fernandinho
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City have completed the club record signing of Rodri from Atletico Madrid after triggering his £62.8m release clause.
The 23-year-old midfielder joins the Premier League champions on a five-year contract and will wear the No 16 shirt.
Atletico confirmed the long-awaited transfer on Wednesday, revealing that City had paid Rodri’s €70m release clause.
Omar Berrada, City’s chief operating officer, was pictured visiting La Liga’s headquarters in Madrid to finalise the transfer.
Rodri arrives as a long-term successor to holding midfielder Fernandinho, who will turn 35-years-old next May.
“What City have achieved in the last two years has been amazing and I’m looking forward to being part of such a talented squad,” Rodri said.
“It’s not just the titles they have won, but the way they have managed it, playing attacking football at all times.
“It’s a style that excites me, as do the club’s ambitions.
“I can’t wait to start working with Pep Guardiola and my new team-mates and hopefully we can achieve great things together.”
Txiki Begiristain, City’s Director of Football added: “Rodri has proven himself to be a hugely talented, young midfielder, who has all the attributes we are looking for.
“He works hard defensively, makes himself available to receive the ball and uses it well when in possession.
“He is a perfect fit for Pep Guardiola’s team and we are confident he will be a success.”
The Spain international’s fee also surpasses the record £60m paid to Leicester City last summer for Riyad Mahrez.
Rodri, who is viewed at international level as a replacement for Sergio Busquets, is not the first player to join City this week.
On Tuesday, the club re-signed Angelino from PSV Eindhoven, a year after letting him join the Eredivisie side.
City triggered a £5.3m release clause in the 22-year-old full-back’s contract to bring him back to the Etihad.
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