Manchester City have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Claudio Bravo from Spanish side FC Barcelona in a deal reportedly worth around £14.7 million.
The 33-year-old shot stopper moves to the Etihad Stadium on a four-year contract, having spent two years with the Catalan giants Barça.
Bravo expressed his delight at having joined the Blues, where he is expected to leapfrog both Joe Hart and Willy Caballero in the pecking order.
He said: “I’m very proud to be joining Manchester City.
“I know the club is building something very special and I hope I can be part of many successes in the coming years.”
The experienced veteran keeper also highlighted the significance of new City boss Pep Guardiola in his decision to move to Manchester.
“It is not easy to leave a club like Barcelona where I had two fantastic years, but the opportunity to work with Pep Guardiola was too good to refuse,” he added.
Guardiola himself was also quick to return the respect for his new recruit and highlight his high expectations for his new man between the sticks.
“Claudio is a fantastic goalkeeper and an excellent addition to our squad,” he stated.
“He has experience and great leadership qualities and is in the prime of his life. He is a goalkeeper I have admired for a number of years and I’m really happy he is now a City player.”
Bravo has won the La Liga title in both of his seasons in Spain, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup.
Manchester City fans are mostly happy at signing a world class goalkeeper but have some reservations, as the future of England number 1 and fan favourite Joe Hart at the club is now in major doubt.
Written by Jordan-Luke McDonald.
