Confirmed: Manchester City announce the signing of Julian Alvarez on a five-and-a-half year deal

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of attacker Julian Alvarez from River Plate on a five-and-a-half year deal.

The club have also announced Alvarez will be loaned back to River Plate until July when he’ll then meet up with his new City team-mates.

In an official statement the club welcomed their new signing, stating: “Everyone at Manchester City is looking forward to welcoming Julian to the club and we wish him the best of luck in his remaining time with River.”

The Argentina international’s move to the Premier League champions was announced on Monday, which also happens to be Alvarez’s 22nd birthday.

It was reported over a week ago that the youngster would sign for City, but the announcement of the deal has been delayed with Alvarez currently on international duty.

Alvarez is City’s only signing of the window so far, and is likely to be their sole new recruit of the month.

The attacker, who can centrally or out wide, is seen as a long-term replacement for Ferran Torres.

Alvarez is seen as one of South America’s most-impressive young talents and he has already earned five senior caps, which includes his cameo appearance in Argentina’s 2-1 win over Chile last week.

The 22-year-old was linked with a move to a host of top European clubs this window, including Manchester United, but City moved first to confirm the signing.

No details of Alvarez’s squad number have yet been confirmed and no quotes from Pep Guardiola have been provided regarding the signing.