Rayan Ait-Nouri’s Man City shirt number, contract length, transfer fee confirmed as Pep Guardiola completes first summer signing

Manchester City have announced the signing of left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The 24-year-old, who celebrated his birthday las Friday, has put pen to paper on a five-year contract to keep him at the Etihad Stadium until June 2030.

Ait-Nouri becomes Pep Guardiola’s first signing of the summer transfer window and the first new addition of Hugo Viana’s reign as sporting director.

The Algeria international, who passed his medical over the weekend, is expected to wear the No.21 shirt and arrives at Man City for a fee which allegedly could rise to around £36m with add-ons.

Ait Nouri’s former club Angers are due a significant windfall from this transfer because of a 50% sell-on clause inserted in his deal that Wolves can buy out for around £9.7m.

The left-back leaves Wolves after making a total of 157 appearances across all competitions over a five-year period, scoring four goals and registering seven assists in 37 Premier League matches last season.

Ait-Nouri: "It was an easy decision to join Man City"

Ait-Nouri was linked with a host of top Premier League clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool, but Man City have won the race for his signature and the left-back will be available to make his debut for Guardiola’s side at the FIFA Club World Cup later this month.

“I am incredibly happy and honoured to have joined Manchester City,” Ait-Nouri told the club’s official website. “City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the chance to play for the club is a dream come true.

“I am also excited about working with and learning from Pep and his coaching team and getting to train and play alongside such a world class group of players.

“Joining City is also a very proud moment for my family too. Now I can’t wait to get started and to play in front of our supporters.”

“It was an easy decision,” he added: “To be honest, my choice was Manchester City in the beginning - what I said with my family, I want to play for this team - I like how they play. I am very happy to be here - it is a big pleasure for me.

“The most important thing is I will give everything for the shirt. It’s the same league and the same country, it’s not far - the weather is the same! 

“[I think] It will be easier for me [to adapt] because I have been here for a long time in England. I know the league also. 

“But for sure it will be a new challenge with amazing players and an amazing coach. I can’t wait to train with the team.”

Ait-Nouri keen to follow in the footsteps of Mahrez

Viana added: “Rayan is a player that as a club we have been following closely for quite some time and we are delighted he has joined us.

“He already has extensive Premier League experience and has also demonstrated his quality at international level with Algeria.

“We feel sure that he will be an excellent addition to our squad and that working alongside Pep and his coaching staff will help develop his game even further.

“And at just 24 he is someone we feel sure will help us in our objective to bring more success to the club.”

Ait-Nouri has revealed that he is keen to follow in the footsteps of Algerian compatriot Riyad Mahrez, who spent five successful seasons on the blue side of Manchester.

“I spoke with Riyad - I am with him in the national team, and it was the same as Matheus [Nunes, a former team-mate at Wolves],” said Ait-Nouri.

“Riyad told me about the city, and he told me to give everything for this club - one of the biggest clubs in the world - and I will try to follow him.”

Ait-Nouri is set to be joined at Man City by midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, attacker Rayan Cherki and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli with the Citizens pushing to finalise all three deals before Tuesday’s 7.00pm deadline so that they can play at the Club World Cup.

Written by
Oliver Thomas