(Football news) The 21-year-old passed his medical on Tuesday and has put pen to paper on a five-year contract, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until June 2030.
Manchester City are understood to have forked out around £34m to sign Cherki, including an upfront payment of £29m plus £5m in add-ons.
Cherki becomes Pep Guardiola’s third signing of the summer transfer window after left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, whose arrival was confirmed earlier today, and all three players are available to represent the Citizens at this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
“This is a dream for me,” Cherki told Manchester City’s official website. “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.
“I have worked so hard for this all my life. I love this sport, and I can’t wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom staff.
Cherki “in the best place possible to develop further”
“Everyone knows how good City are – they have been so successful for many years now. The responsibility to help the team continue winning is something I want to embrace.
“I would only leave Lyon for a project I really believe in and everything at City suggests I can develop my game and help the team be successful in the future. I can’t wait to show City fans what I can do.”
Director of football Hugo Viana added: “We’re very happy to have Rayan at City. We want to bring top talent to the club, and he falls into that category.
“He’s a player our scouts have watched for a long time, and we have all been impressed with his skill and creativity. I am convinced our fans will be excited to see him play.
“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 aiming to fill creative void left by De Bruyne
Cherki leaves boyhood club Lyon where he spent nine years in their academy before making 185 senior appearances across all competitions since his debut in October 2019.
The versatile playmaker is comfortable operating as a number 10 or on either flank, and he joins Manchester City following the departure of Citizens legend Kevin De Bruyne upon the expiration of his contract.
After a move for Florian Wirtz failed to bare fruit, Manchester City quickly turned their attention to Cherki, who enjoyed a superb 2024-25 campaign with Lyon, scoring 12 goals and registering 22 assists in 44 appearances.
Cherki’s club form was rewarded with his first senior call-up to the France national team squad earlier this month, and he scored and assisted on his debut in an impressive cameo as a substitute in a dramatic 5-4 defeat to Spain in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals last week.
The youngster has been labelled an “absolute superstar” by Manchester City expert and he has the potential to develop into “one of the best” players in world football under Guardiola.
Also read: Manchester City agree to a 5 year contract for young prospect
