Rayan Cherki’s new Man City shirt number confirmed after key transfer decision

Manchester City have announced that summer signing Rayan Cherki will wear the No.10 shirt for the 2025-26 season.

The soon-to-be 22-year-old, who celebrates his birthday on Sunday, joined the Citizens from Lyon in June for a reported £34m, putting pen to paper on a five-year contract until 2030.

Cherki linked up with his new teammates at the FIFA Club World Cup and wore the No.29 shirt at the tournament in the United States, featuring four times and scoring his first goal for the club in a group-stage win over Al-Ain.

The France international had previously sported the number 18 shirt at boyhood club Lyon where he made 185 senior appearances since and including his debut as a 16-year-old in October 2019.

Cherki has now decided to switch to the No.10 at Man City, which has become available following the loan departure of Jack Grealish to Everton earlier this week.

Grealish has spent the last four seasons with the Citizens, but after falling down the pecking order under manager Pep Guardiola, he will now spend the 2025-26 campaign at Everton, who allegedly have a £50m option to buy the 29-year-old next summer.

Cherki recorded 12 goals and 22 assists in 44 games for Lyon last season and his new shirt number reflects his playmaker abilities, with the No.10 having had a prolonged history in the world of football of being associated with creative players.

Ready to do the shirt proud ?? pic.twitter.com/3MMOuaKqMn

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 14, 2025

Cherki follows in footsteps of Man City greats with No.10 switch

Man City’s all-time record goalscorer Sergio Aguero was the last player to wear number 10 prior to Grealish, doing so for six years at the Etihad after switching from No.16.

Edin Dzeko, Shaun Goater, Giorgi Kinkladze, Asa Hartford and Francis Lee are among some other Man City greats to have donned the No.10 shirt over the years.

Following the summer departure of club legend Kevin De Bruyne, widely regarded as one of the greatest playmakers of his generation, Cherki has big shoes to fill at Man City, but he is ready for the challenge and hopes to develop his game under Guardiola.

“This is a dream for me,” Cherki said in June following confirmation of his move to Man City. “Honestly, to be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to make the next step in my career here is something very, very special.

“I have worked so hard for this all my life. I love this sport, and I can’t wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom staff.

“Everyone knows how good City are - they have been so successful for many years now. The responsibility to help the team continue winning is something I want to embrace.

“I would only leave Lyon for a project I really believe in and everything at City suggests I can develop my game and help the team be successful in the future. I can’t wait to show City fans what I can do.”

Man City supporters could see Cherki wear his new No.10 for the first time if he is handed his Premier League debut in the club’s opening fixture of the 2025-26 season away against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.