Football: Manchester City signs Riyad Mahrez from Leicester

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Thursday, July 12, 2018

On Tuesday, via their official website, Manchester City announced signing Algerian footballer Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City FC for a fee of 60 million GBP, making him the most expensive player in Man City's history. Mahrez signed a five-year contract with the English Premier League winners which runs through 2023.

27-year-old Mahrez joined Leicester in January 2014 from the then-second tier French club Le Havre. In his debut season for Leicester, they won the second-tier Championship league title, gaining promotion to the Premier League.

Mahrez won the Premier League with the club in 2015–16. That season, Mahrez was named Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Player of the Year.

After signing the contract, the Algerian forward said, "I am so pleased to have joined City, a side playing great football under Pep Guardiola [...] Watching them from afar has been a pleasure. Pep is committed to playing attacking football, which is perfect for me, and City's performances last season were outstanding. They're redefining the English game and I wanted to be a part of it."

Man City's director of football Txiki Begiristain said, "Riyad is a hugely talented player. He beats defenders and creates space [...] Over the past few years, he has established himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting players. We're sure he will bring additional attacking quality to our squad."

Mahzer has been allocated jersey number 26, the same number he has worn since moving to England in 2014.

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