Manchester City have confirmed the arrival of Elliot Anderson on a five-year deal worth a reported £116m, a move that will see the 23-year-old midfielder join the club from Nottingham Forest.
The deal was first agreed upon when Anderson was playing for England at the World Cup, making him a key part of the team's plans for the future.
Anderson has signed a contract that runs until June 2031, a significant investment by Manchester City in a player who has already shown his potential at the top level. He joins a team led by former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, who arrived in June after Pep Guardiola stepped down as City manager after 10 years in charge.
According to Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana, Anderson is "one of the outstanding young midfield talents in the world". He offers "energy, outstanding work rate and an exceptional range of passing", qualities that City believe will make him a key player in their team.
Anderson himself was keen to join Manchester City, saying "As soon as I knew [City] wanted me, I was absolutely determined to make this move happen". He sees joining the club as an opportunity to "test himself at the highest level" and establish himself in the City team.
Anderson's move to Manchester City comes after a successful spell at Nottingham Forest, where he became an integral player and helped the club finish seventh in the Premier League and qualify for Europe for the first time in 30 years. He also played a key role in the club's Europa League semi-final appearance last season.
Manchester City agreed to pay a club record fee for Anderson, exceeding the £100m spent on Jack Grealish in 2021. The deal was reportedly fended off by competition from Manchester United, who were also interested in signing the midfielder.
Anderson's signing is a significant coup for Manchester City, who are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season. With his exceptional passing range and energy, he is expected to be a key player in the team's midfield.
The deal is also a testament to Anderson's impressive development over the past few years, during which he has become one of the most sought-after young midfielders in the world. At just 23, he has plenty of opportunity for development over the coming years, and Manchester City are confident that he can become a complete midfielder.
Anderson will now join a team that is preparing for the new season, and he will be looking to make an immediate impact. With his exceptional talent and work ethic, he is expected to be a key player in the team's midfield and will be looking to help City achieve their goals.
Source: BBC Sports