Manchester City have signed Geronimo Rulli as their cut-price replacement for James Trafford.
The Argentina international has joined for £1.7m from Marseille after City sold Trafford to Leeds for a fee rising to £45m.
Rulli, who will be Gianluigi Donnarumma’s deputy this season, has signed a two-year deal as he has returned to the Etihad Stadium.
The 34-year-old was first bought by City in 2016, though he never played for them as he was first loaned to Real Sociedad before joining them permanently.
Rulli, who has also played for Ajax and Montpellier, was a Europa League winner with Villarreal in 2021 when he scored the decisive penalty in the final shootout against Manchester United.
And he relished a return to City, saying: “This is an amazing opportunity for me and one I had to grasp.”
He consulted his Argentina teammate Julian Alvarez, a former City forward, about the transfer. And he added: “When the chance to join Manchester City comes along you have to go for it. Everyone knows what an impressive club this is. City’s success over a long time has been impressive. Everyone I have spoken to about City said I had to join them because they are a club with incredibly high standards.
“Every professional wants to be in a high-performance environment and I can’t wait to get started because I know I will improve and learn, which is always my main priority.”
Rulli was also a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022 and was in their squad again this summer when they reached the final and City director of football Hugo Viana said: “The experience he brings is obvious – he has played at the very highest level for many years.
“I have been really impressed by him during our conversations, a strong desire to join us. It’s clear we are getting a brilliant professional, as well as a top keeper.
“The qualities he will bring are ones we need, and together with Gigio [Donnarumma] and Marcus [Bettinelli, the third choice] make a great team. Our goalkeeper coaches are really happy with the group.”
