Manchester City announces the signing of Spanish midfielder Rodri from Atletico Madrid
Manchester City, the current Premier League champion, announced on Thursday the signing of Spanish midfielder Rodri Hernandez 'Rodri', from Atletico Madrid, for five seasons.
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Rodri, 23 years old, officially became a City player one day after Atletico Madrid announced that his €70 million release clause had been paid.
"Manchester City is delighted to announce the signing of Spanish midfielder Rodri," the club said in a statement on its website.
City did not confirm the transfer fee, but the value of the release clause eclipses the €66 million that the English club paid to Leicester for Algerian international Riyad Mahrez last year.
"What Manchester City has achieved in the last two years has been amazing and I am eager to be part of a squad with so much talent," said the Spanish player on the club's website.
"It's not just the titles they have won, but the way they have done it, playing attacking football all the time. It's a style that I like, just like the club's goals," added the former Atletico Madrid midfielder.
Rodri's departure will ensure a considerable profit for Atletico, who spent €20 million last season to bring him from Villarreal.
The midfielder played 47 games for Atletico, scoring three goals, with a team that finished second in the league.
With the Spanish player, City finds a replacement for the veteran Brazilian Fernandinho, 34 years old.
Rodri is compared to Sergio Busquets, a defensive midfielder discovered by Pep Guardiola, the current City coach.
"Rodri has proven his talent. He is young and has the characteristics of the player we were looking for," said City's Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain.
"He works hard defensively, looks for the ball and makes good use of it when he has it. He fits perfectly into the team's scheme and we are confident he will succeed," added the Basque.
Rodri is City's second signing after recalling left-back Angeliño from PSV Eindhoven.
(AFP)