Manchester City have completed the signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for a British record fee of £100 million on a six-year deal.
Grealish will wear the No 10 shirt for the reigning Premier League champions. The Athletic reported in June that City were preparing a bid, with the reigning top-flight champions long-term admirers of the England international.
After negotiations between the two clubs, Villa accepted City’s offer and the 25-year-old has now become the most expensive British player of all time.
That accolade previously belonged to Gareth Bale following his £85 million transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid in 2013.
It also surpasses the £89 million Manchester United gave Juventus in 2016 to take Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford, which was then a world record paid by a Premier League side.
“I am incredibly happy to have joined Manchester City,” Grealish told Manchester City’s club website. “City are the best team in the country with a manager considered to be the best in the world – it’s a dream come true to be part of this club.
“Over the past 10 seasons, they have won major trophies consistently. Pep coming here has taken them to the next level and the football this team plays is the most exciting in Europe. To play for Pep and learn from him is going to be special and it’s something any top footballer would want.
“The facilities are amazing, and I honestly can’t wait to get started, meet everyone and get playing.”
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Jack Grealish to Manchester City. He is an incredible talent.
“Jack’s development over the past few seasons both for club and country has been plain for everybody to see. His natural talent together with his commitment to improve as a player, has seen him become one of the most exciting attacking players in world football today.
“I am certain that the fans are going to love seeing him in our team. Pep loves the way he plays, and we all feel he is an ideal fit for Manchester City. Our style and his style are a perfect match. I’m excited to watch him over the coming years.”
Christian Purslow, Aston Villa’s chief executive, said after the announcement: “Jack wanted to be certain that if at any point a Champions League club came in for him, and Aston Villa were not in that competition, we would not stand in his way.”
Following the announcement, Grealish posted on social media: “I’ve been at Aston Villa for 19 years and I’ve been a fan my whole life. I’ve come up through the ranks and captained my club back to the top tier of English football. It’s impossible to put my feelings into words, but I’ll try.
“When I first came to Villa I had my own personal dreams and ambitions like getting into the first team, scoring my first goal and scoring the winner in a derby. It wasn’t until we got relegated that I felt a greater sense of purpose.”
He added: “I’ll always be a Villa fan — I love this club with all my heart and I hope you understand my reasons for seeking a new challenge. The club are in great hands, the manager, the lads, the new signings coming in — it is an exciting time to be a Villa fan.”
The Birmingham-born attacking midfielder joined Villa at the age of six and has captained his boyhood side since March 2019.
An improved five-year contract was penned last September and another new deal was offered before Grealish went to the delayed Euro 2020.
Villa hoped he would stay and be part of an ambitious project, but they also respected his desire to play Champions League football and would not block his path if a suitable proposal arrived.
Similarly, Grealish was likely to have put pen to paper on the fresh terms unless City delivered what Villa wanted and ensured the transaction was handled in a cordial manner, so he could exit in the best possible way.
