Man City transfer news: Claudio Echeverri explains decision to join Bayer Leverkusen as loan deal, key shirt number is confirmed

Bayer Leverkusen have announced the signing of Claudio Echeverri on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City.

The highly-rated 19-year-old joined the Citizens in January 2024, but he remained on loan at River Plate until February 2025 when he linked up with Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad.

Echeverri arrived in Manchester on the back of a magnificent Under-20 South American Championship campaign for Argentina, scoring six goals and providing three assists across nine matches as well as captaining his nation to a runners-up finish.

The attacking midfielder made his senior debut for Man City as a second-half substitute in the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace in May, before scoring his first goal for the club - a superb free kick - in a FIFA Club World Cup group-stage victory over Al-Ain.

Man City have been looking to loan out Echeverri throughout this summer and Leverkusen presented the best proposal, agreeing a straight loan deal for the 2025-26 season that does not include an option to buy.

Leverkusen successfully hijacked a deal from German rivals Borussia Dortmund to sign Echeverri, who was also linked with clubs including Roma and Girona this summer.

Welcome to Lev, Claudio Echeverri! ???

The 19-year-old Argentine joins on a one-year loan from Premier League side @ManCity. ?❤️ pic.twitter.com/DEo67K8T0M

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) August 21, 2025

Echeverri relishing first-team opportunities at Leverkusen

Echeverri will wear the No.9 shirt at Leverkusen and he is looking forward to gaining regular first-team football for a Champions League club, now managed by Erik ten Hag.

“It’s fantastic for me to take the next steps with the 2024 champions of Germany now in the Bundesliga and the Champions League,” Echeverri told Leverkusen’s official website.

“I want to get a lot of minutes on the pitch and develop into an even better player week by week. A lot of young players have made it to the top of the game here at Bayer Leverkusen.

“I want to take that path in the coming season and play my part in helping Bayer 04 achieve great things.”

Managing director of sport Simon Rolfes added: “Claudio Echeverri is a technically gifted, energetic player who is very dynamic between the lines from where he poses a threat.

“A classy footballer - very good at dribbling, direct going forwards and always able to bring his teammates into play positively.

“Football fans come to games to watch players like Claudio. His creativity will bring new and attractive elements to our game.”

Echeverri could be in contention to make his Bundesliga debut when Leverkusen welcome Hoffenheim to the BayArena on Saturday afternoon.