Manchester City announce first signing as £33.6m arrival confirmed - contract length & shirt number revealed

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Manchester City have added greater depth in wide areas ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Manchester City have confirmed their first signing of the summer transfer window with the arrival of Savio from French side Troyes.

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The Brazilian has signed a five-year deal at the Etihad and has cost City a fee of up to €40m (£33.6m). The Premier League champions have paid Troyes an initial €25m (£21m) with a further €15m (£12.6m) in potential add-ons.

Given Troyes are part of the City Football Group, and essentially sister clubs with City, the price was ratified by the Premier League and the £33.6m fee was deemed a fair market value.

“I’m so happy to be joining Manchester City, the Premier League champions and Club World Cup winners,” Savio said as his transfer to City was announced. “Everyone knows they are the best team in the world right now, so to be here is very exciting for me.

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“I’m excited about the chance to work under Pep Guardiola, one of the greatest coaches ever, and someone I know will help me improve even more.

“I had an amazing time in Spain and I’m looking forward to a new challenge of playing in the Premier League and alongside some of the best players in the world,” he added. “I can’t wait to meet the fans and my new team-mates and hopefully be a part of bringing more success to City.”

Savio - also known as Savinho - joined Troyes for a club-record transfer fee in 2022 but never played a single game for the side, who have suffered back-to-back relegations in that time. The winger spent 2022/23 on loan at PSV Eindhoven and impressed last term at Girona, another of City’s sister clubs.

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The 20-year-old registered 11 goals and 10 assists from 41 appearances during his solidarity season in La Liga, form that saw him earn a call-up to Brazil squad for this summer’s Copa America. Savio has already earned seven senior caps and played every game for Brazil at this summer’s championships in America.

His involvement on the international stage means Savio won’t be returning to the USA with his new City team-mates as part of their summer tour. However, the attacker will remain with Guardiola’s squad this season, despite previous reports of a possible loan move this term. 

Savio will wear the no.26 shirt, which was last worn by Riyad Mahrez, and will provide competition for the likes of Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Oscar Bobb, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden in the wide areas.

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“Savinho is a very exciting player and I think the City fans are really going to enjoy watching him,” said director of football Txiki Begiristain. “What he achieved last season at Girona was remarkable and he is already a full Brazil international. 

“He has a big role to play for Manchester City this season and beyond. We are totally confident in his ability. He is still young and has the potential to become even better, and everyone knows that Pep is the best at helping players develop even further.”

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