City sign Riyad Mahrez in club record £60m deal

Algerian international signs five year deal at The Etihad

Manchester have signed Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City for a club record fee of £60m. The Algerian international has signed a five-year contract at The Etihad, and becomes the Blues' first signing of the summer.

City had attempted to sign the winger in the January transfer window, but balked at the rumoured £90m price set by the Foxes. Director of Football Txiki Begiristain was clearly delighted to have finally landed his target:

“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 joined Leicester from Le Havre in 2013, and went on to score 48 goals in 179 appearances for the club. He was an integral part of the 2015/16 title win, and was named as the PFA Player of the Year that season.

“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.”