Marc Guehi Signs for Manchester City in £20m Etihad Move

‎Manchester City have officially completed the £20 million ($27m) signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, fending off rival interest to secure the England international’s signature. The 25-year-old defender has agreed to a long-term contract at the Etihad Stadium that runs until the summer of 2031.

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‎Manchester City complete the £20m signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, boosting their injury-hit defence as the England international signs a lucrative deal through 2031.

‎Manchester City

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‎Manchester City complete the £20m signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, boosting their injury-hit defence as the England international signs a lucrative deal through 2031.

‎Manchester City

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‎Guehi’s arrival comes at a crucial time for Pep Guardiola’s side, who are currently dealing with significant defensive injuries. Josko Gvardiol has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, while Ruben Dias and John Stones are also sidelined, leaving City short of senior centre-backs.

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‎In a club statement, Manchester City confirmed: “Manchester City is delighted to announce the signing of Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace. The 25-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2031. An England international with 26 caps to his name, Guéhi began his career at Chelsea. After an impressive loan spell with Swansea City in the 2020-21 campaign – where he helped them reach the Championship play-off final – he signed for Crystal Palace.”

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‎The statement continued by highlighting his recent achievements: “Following an exceptional summer at EURO 2024, where he was a stand-out player for England on their route to the final, he was named club captain for Oliver Glasner’s side ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. Guéhi’s first season as Palace captain saw him lead them to a major trophy and European football for the first time in their history after lifting the FA Cup against City last May. This success was followed by winning the FA Community Shield in August, beating Liverpool at Wembley Stadium. The defender has played 188 games and scored 11 goals for The Eagles.”

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‎Guehi becomes City’s second signing of the January transfer window after Antoine Semenyo joined from Bournemouth, taking the club’s spending this month to £85m.

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‎Speaking to City’s official website, Guehi said: “I am really happy and incredibly proud to be a Manchester City player. This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I have put into my career. I am now at the best club in England and part of an unbelievable squad of players. It feels good to be able to say that.”

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‎He added: “I want to grow as a player and a person, and I know at this club that’s going to happen. I love football – it has given me so much for so long – and to be able to continue my development at Manchester City is a really special moment for me and my family. I absolutely cannot wait to get started now. I want to meet my teammates, train hard, understand what the manager expects of me and then show the City fans what I can do.”

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‎City’s director of football Hugo Viana also praised the signing, stating: “It is clear Marc has been one of the best defenders in English football for quite some time now, so we are absolutely delighted to bring him to Manchester City. I feel we have signed a huge talent who will help us improve.”

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‎Viana continued: “He is only 25, but he has shown already he is a leader, a brilliant professional and someone desperate to improve. He is strong, has exceptional defensive qualities, is an intelligent reader of the game, and brings passion and energy every time he steps onto the pitch. I am so pleased it was us he chose to join. Marc is entering the prime years of his career. I am sure every City fan is excited to see how good he can be in a sky blue shirt.”

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‎The defender had been close to joining Liverpool in the summer, but Crystal Palace blocked the move on deadline day. He now joins a City side still competing in the Premier League title race, trailing Arsenal by seven points. City also hold a 2-0 advantage over Newcastle from the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final and are into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

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‎Guehi is not eligible to feature in City’s Champions League matches against Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray but will be available for the knockout rounds if Guardiola’s men progress. He is expected to make his home debut against Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday.

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‎Reflecting further on the squad, Guehi said: “It’s a squad with amazing experience. There are so many players that have played at such a high level and won so many things. There are so many exciting, young players as well that have come into the squad and want to do their best. With the arrival of Antoine [Semenyo] who is an amazing player and he’s proven himself in the Premier League – it’s fantastic and I just want to come in and help and just do my part, be one of the lads and just try to improve.”