Argentina World Cup winner Rulli joins Manchester City from Marseille
Manchester, August 12
Manchester City have signed Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from French club Olympique de Marseille on a two-year contract, the Premier League side announced on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old arrives as a replacement for James Trafford, who left City to join Leeds United.
Rulli returns to Manchester City after spending the 2016-17 season at the club, although he did not make a senior appearance during his first stint. He joins as an experienced backup option, with Gianluigi Donnarumma continuing as City's first-choice goalkeeper.
"This is an amazing opportunity for me and one I had to grasp," Rulli said in a club statement, as per Reuters.
"When the chance to join Manchester City comes along, you have to take it. Everyone knows what an impressive club this is."
Rulli has earned eight caps for Argentina and was part of the squads that lifted the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Copa America.
The goalkeeper has also enjoyed spells with several European clubs, including Real Sociedad, Montpellier, Villarreal and Ajax.
During his time at Villarreal, he played a key role in the club's 2021 Europa League final triumph over Manchester United, saving a penalty in the shootout.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good move by City to get experience on the bench. But I wonder if this affects any young academy goalkeepers' pathway. City have been brilliant at developing talent, so it seems a bit of a step backwards.
A two-year deal for a backup keeper is fine, honestly. Argentina squad member, loads of European experience, and he knows the club already. The management clearly knows what they're doing after winning everything. 💪
Interesting to see how City operates in the transfer market. They don't panic buy, they just fill gaps smartly. Rulli is a reliable pair of hands, though I hope Donnarumma stays fit because he's clearly the main man now.
Wait, Rulli is 34? Time flies. I remember watching him at Real Sociedad and thinking he'd be a top keeper one day. World Cup winner now, good for him! City getting that winning mentality in the dressing room is never a bad thing.
I'm still not convinced about this one. He's a decent pro, sure, but City could've promoted from within or gone for a younger understudy. Maybe I'm overthinking it — they know more than us fans. 😅
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