Manchester City have added Manuel Akanji to their squad in a transfer window deadline day deal.
The transfer window closes at 11 pm tonight in England and some other parts of Europe.
The Swiss international centre-back with Nigerian heritage joined the Premier League champions today on a long-term contract worth around £15m from Borussia Dortmund.
“Manchester City have completed the signing of Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund,” the English club announced today.
“The 27-year-old centre-back arrives on a five-year deal, which keeps him at the Club until the summer of 2027.
“A 41-cap Swiss international who has won trophies in Switzerland and Germany, he follows in the footsteps of Stefan Ortega Moreno, Kalvin Phillips, Sergio Gomez and former Dortmund team-mate Erling Haaland to become our fifth signing of the summer, with Julian Alvarez also arriving following his loan spell with River Plate.”
Akanji, born in Switzerland to a Nigerian father, began his career at FC Winterthur in his country of birth before moving to Basel, where he impressed enough in his three seasons to earn a move to Dortmund in January 2018.
He made 158 appearances during his four-and-a-half year stay with Dortmund, winning the German Super Cup in 2019 and the German Cup in 2020/21.
“I am delighted to be here, and can’t wait to get started,” Akanji told mancity.com after completing his move to the Etihad Stadium.
“City have been one of the best teams in Europe over the last few seasons. They are brilliant to watch, play an exciting brand of football and compete for trophies year in, year out, so coming here feels like the perfect next step in my career.
“Pep Guardiola is an exceptional manager, and this is an exceptional squad of players, so this is an exciting opportunity for me.
“I am really looking forward to testing myself in the Premier League and I will do everything I can to help this Club be successful.”
Also today, Fulham brought Brazilian star Willian back to the Premier League on a free transfer.
“The Club is delighted to announce the signing of Willian on a one-year deal,” Fulham announced on their official website.
“A 70-cap Brazil international, the versatile attacking midfielder arrives on a free transfer following his departure from Corinthians earlier this month.
Speaking to the Fulham website, Willian said: “I’m happy to be here, I’m happy to be back in the Premier League.
“Fulham is a special club, a club that wants to improve, that wants to fight for something bigger, so I’m here to help, and I cant wait to get started.”
The 34-year-old has had a storied career, playing for Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine before joining Chelsea, with whom he won two Premier League titles in 2015 and 2017 as well as the UEFA Europa League in 2019.
He made 399 appearances for Chelsea and also spent one season at Arsenal before returning to Corinthians in Brazil last year.
Fulham owner Tony Khan said: “I’m very happy that Willian has officially signed with Fulham.
“He’s been impressive during his recent training sessions with our squad, and we believe that adding a player of Willian’s quality and someone with his vast experience will strengthen the Club as we work to build on the strong start that we’ve had to this Premier League season!”
