Manchester City has finalized the acquisition of attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki from Lyon for an initial fee of £30.45 million. The 21-year-old has signed a five-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2030. Cherki is set to join his new teammates in the Club World Cup, which kicks off in the United States on June 14.

Cherki's Career at Lyon

During his time at Lyon, Cherki made nearly 200 appearances, scoring 29 goals and providing 45 assists. He made his senior debut for Lyon at the age of 16 in October 2019. Recently, he represented France at the senior level, making his debut last Thursday in a Nations League semi-final against Spain, where he contributed a goal and an assist despite the team’s narrow defeat. He also played in the third-place play-off, helping France secure a 2-0 victory over Germany.

Excitement for the Future

"This is a dream for me," Cherki expressed. "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."

Cherki emphasized his dedication to the sport and his eagerness to develop further under the guidance of Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff. He expressed a strong desire to contribute to the team's ongoing success, stating, "The responsibility to help the team continue winning is something I want to embrace."

Manchester City’s director of football, Hugo Viana, expressed confidence in Cherki's potential, stating, "There's no doubt that he's now in the best place possible to develop further under Pep's guidance, and I really believe he can become a world-class player with our support and direction."

Cherki’s signing marks City’s third addition in just two days, following the arrivals of left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea. As he embarks on this new chapter, Cherki aims to make a significant impact in the Premier League and beyond.