Manchester City have completed the British transfer record signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa.
Grealish has become the first £100m player in Premier League history after signing a long-term deal at the Etihad, the deal eclipsing Paul Pogba’s £89m move to Manchester United from Juventus in 2016.
Pep Guardiola’s side submitted the record-breaking offer for Grealish last Friday, with Villa reluctantly accepting the offer despite offering the 25-year-old a new contract in a bid to convince the midfielder to stay.
Sky Sports have reported that Grealish – who completed his medical on Thursday – was ‘absolutely torn’ on the decision to leave Villa, the club he has supported all his life and joined aged six before rising through the academy ranks.
However, the lure of the champions has proven too difficult to turn down and the move to City provides their new record signing with the opportunity to play Champions League football and win major trophies.
The England international has signed a six-year deal to keep him at the Etihad into his thirties, and admitted it was ‘a dream come true’ to play under Pep Guardiola.
“I am incredibly happy to have joined Manchester City,” Grealish told the official 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.”
Grealish has been handed the number 10 shirt vacated by Sergio Aguero following his departure earlier this summer.
