Football
ESPN staff 7y

Danilo seals Manchester City move from Real Madrid

Manchester City have announced the signing of defender Danilo from Real Madrid for a reported fee of £26.5 million.

Brazil international Danilo, 26, has agreed a five-year contract with City and joins subject to a work permit.

Sources told ESPN FC in recent days that Chelsea had also been interested but Danilo told City's official website: "I am very, very happy to be joining Manchester City. There has been strong interest from other clubs, but it has always been my ambition to play for Pep Guardiola.

"As soon as I heard of his interest, I knew immediately I wanted to be a City player. I can't wait to get started and I'm looking forward to getting to know my new teammates over the coming weeks."

City director of football Txiki Begiristain added: "Danilo is a fine player who offers great versatility to our squad. He can operate in several different roles in both defence and midfield, increasing Pep's options ahead of the new season.

"We feel he has all the attributes needed to succeed at City and we look forward to helping him develop during his time here."

Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane had confirmed on Saturday that Danilo, who plays predominantly at right-back, would be leaving the club.

City have already brought in England right-back Kyle Walker from Tottenham Hotspur for a fee worth up to £50m, and sources have told ESPN FC they have agreed to pay Monaco £52m for left-back Benjamin Mendy.

Guardiola allowed full-backs Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy to leave on free transfers at the end of last season while Aleksandar Kolarov has joined Roma.

City are set to bring in an extra central defender as cover after allowing Kolarov to leave, sources have told ESPN FC.

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