Official: Manchester City sign Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City

Official: Manchester City sign Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City

Manchester City have announced the signing of Riyad Mahrez from Leicester.

The 27-year-old signed a five-year deal with the premier league champions.

Riyad Mahrez was an integral part of Leicester's title-winning side in 2016, he has been trying to get a move to the Etihad Stadium as he submitted a transfer request during the last transfer window as well as forced a January move which didn't work.

Finally, he has achieved his dream of playing for Pep Guardiola.

Welcome @Mahrez22 to @ManCity #welcomeriyad pic.twitter.com/3EATCilOVM

— PepTeam (@PepTeam) July 10, 2018

Here is an excerpt from Man City's official website:

“I am so pleased to have joined City, a side playing great football under Pep Guardiola,” Mahrez said.

“Watching them from afar has been a pleasure. Pep is committed to playing attacking football, which is a perfect for me, and City’s performances last season were outstanding. They’re redefining the English game and I wanted to be a part of it.

“I think we can be successful over the coming years and I believe my own game can develop under Pep’s management.”

Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “Riyad is a hugely talented player. He beats defenders and creates space.

“Over the past few years, he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting players.

“We’re sure he will bring additional attacking quality to our squad.” 

Mahrez was born in France and began his professional career at Le Havre, where he made 67 appearances over a three-year period.

He signed for Leicester in 2013 and helped them win promotion to the Premier League by the end of his first season. He played 19 times and scored three goals, finishing the season strongly after an initial period of adjustment.