Manchester City has officially announced the signing of Argentine goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli from Marseille, pending international clearance. This move marks Rulli's return to the Etihad Stadium nearly a decade after his initial stint with the club, which ended without him making a senior appearance.

Contract Details and Goalkeeping Changes

The 34-year-old Rulli has signed a two-year contract that will keep him at City until June 2028, with an option for an additional year through 2029. His arrival fills the gap left by James Trafford, who transferred to Leeds United for £45 million in search of more first-team opportunities. Trafford's chances at City diminished significantly following the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma the previous summer, despite his contributions to the team's FA Cup and Carabao Cup victories.

Rulli's Career Journey

Born on May 20, 1992, in Alta Gracia, Argentina, Rulli began his career at Estudiantes de La Plata, where he made his senior debut in April 2013. He quickly became the club's first-choice goalkeeper, setting a record by going 588 minutes without conceding a goal. Rulli's European journey started with a loan to Real Sociedad from Deportivo Maldonado, which led to his permanent signing by Manchester City in July 2016 for a reported £4 million. However, he did not make a competitive appearance for City and was loaned back to Real Sociedad before moving permanently in January 2017. Following loan spells at Montpellier and a successful stint at Villarreal, where he won the Europa League in 2021, Rulli joined Ajax in January 2023 and later moved to Marseille, where he made 73 appearances over two seasons.

On the international stage, Rulli has earned eight caps for Argentina and was part of the squads that won the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America, primarily serving as a backup to Emiliano Martínez. He was also included in Argentina's squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

Reasons for the Signing

Manchester City's coaching staff views Rulli as a seasoned and cost-effective option to support Donnarumma. The club is particularly interested in a goalkeeper whose skills in distribution and build-up play align with their possession-focused style of play.