Manchester City have signed winger, Jeremy Doku from Rennes for £55.4m.
Doku’s move comes after Riyad Mahrez and Carlos Borges both left the club in recent weeks for Al-Ahli and Ajax respectively, leaving City slightly light on winger options.
City subsequently swooped for Doku with a £55.4m deal accepted by Rennes, with Doku having signed a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.
“This is a great day for me, both personally and professionally,” commented Doku upon confirmation of his move to the club.
Doku went on to speak with pride at making this move to last season’s treble winners, as he explained: “Manchester City are the best team in world football, so to be joining them is something very special for me and my family.
“I am a young player with so much learning and improving to do. Working with Pep and his staff, and playing alongside these work-class players, will make me a much better player. I feel sure of that.
“Watching City last season was amazing. To win the Treble is the hardest thing in football and they did it. You cannot imagine how exciting it is to be joining this team.”
City’s Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain is “pleased” that the club have beat off competition from Chelsea and Tottenham amongst various clubs for Doku, who he believes “is a very exciting young player” with potential.
Explaining what fans can expect from Doku, Begiristain said: “In terms of raw attributes, he has everything a winger needs. He has outstanding pace and he is exceptional in one-on-one situations.
“I honestly believe working with Pep and the technical staff here at City will see him develop into a world-class attacking talent.”
Doku could make his debut for City away at Sheffield United on Sunday 27 August in a 2pm BST kick-off, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
The 21 year-old began his career with Anderlecht where he scored six goals in 37 senior appearances since his first-team debut in November 2018, before he went on to net 12 goals in 91 appearances for Rennes following his move to the French club in October 2020.
Doku represents Belgium internationally and has scored twice in 16 senior international appearances, plus was part of their UEFA Euro 2020 and 2022 FIFA World Cup squads.