OFFICIAL: Manchester City sign defender Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund

Manchester City have completed the signing of Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund.

The 27-year-old, who has 41 caps for Switzerland and played a key role in their qualification for the World Cup, has signed a five-year deal with City which keeps him at the Club until the summer of 2027.

The centre-back had failed to make an appearance for Dortmund this season before joining City and was into the final year of his contract.

Akanji told the club website: “I am delighted to be here and can’t wait to get started. City have been one of the best teams in Europe over the last few seasons.”

“They are brilliant to watch, play an exciting brand of football and compete for trophies year in, year out, so coming here feels like the perfect next step in my career.

“Pep Guardiola is an exceptional manager and this is an exceptional squad of players, so this is an exciting opportunity for me.

“I am really looking forward to testing myself in the Premier League and I will do everything I can to help this club be successful.”

He is the fifth signing Guardiola has made during this transfer window as City look to win a third successive Premier League title and a first Champions League trophy.

City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “Manuel has plenty of experience playing at the top level of European football and we are confident he will be a valuable addition to our squad.

“We have been impressed with his performances during his time at Dortmund, where he has developed into a very good defender and one who is ready to perform in both the Premier League and Champions League.

“He has everything we want in a centre-back. He is strong, quick, comfortable in possession, has an excellent passing range and he will complement the other defenders in this team and our style of play.”

Akanji began his career at FC Winterthur in his homeland before moving to Basel, where he impressed enough in his three seasons to convince Dortmund to swoop for him in January 2018.

He made 158 appearances during his four-and-a-half year stay with the Black and Yellows, winning the German Super Cup in 2019 and the German Cup in 2020/21.

Everyone at City welcomes Manuel Akanji to Manchester and wishes him all the best during his time at the Club.