Official: Man City sign Kalvin Phillips in £45m deal
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 4 Jul 2022 10:32 BST
- 3 min read
Breaking
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United after a £45 million transfer.
Phillips has signed a six-year deal with City, which will keep him a the club until 2028.
They will pay £42m up front for the player, with a possible £3m more following in add ons.
Pep Guardiola's side have beaten off stern competition for the England midfielder, who had been attracting interest from the likes of Manchester United.
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While a move to Old Trafford was always unlikely due to the historic rivalry between the clubs, Leeds had at one stage been confident that Phillips would sign a new deal and commit his long-term future to them, having come through the academy at the club.
Indeed, this deal is set to anger Leeds fans, who are unhappy with the relatively low transfer fee involved, plus the fact that they also stand to lose Raphinha this summer.
Phillips on Man City transfer
“I am absolutely delighted to have joined Manchester City,” Phillips told City's official website.
“City have again proved to the best team in the country with an amazing squad and a manager in Pep Guardiola who is rightly considered to be the finest in the world.
“To be able to play under Pep and learn from him and his coaching staff as well as be part of a such a fantastic squad is a prospect that I am incredibly excited about.
“City are a world-class Club with world-class staff and facilities and it’s a dream come true to have joined the Club.
“Now I can’t wait to get started and to look to try and help the team to go on and achieve more success.”
What he will give to City
Man City director of football Txiki Begiristain explained why Man City had pinpointed the Leeds man.
“His reading of the game, alongside his passing ability, energy and drive make him a formidable talent and he is a player who has a fantastic will to win.
“We feel he will be a superb addition to our squad and that he will complement our game perfectly,” he said.
Phillips is Man City's fourth major signing of the summer, having already captured Erling Haaland from Dortmund, Julian Alvarez from River Plate and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega from Arminia Bielefeld.
