Manchester City have announced the signing of Nico Gonzalez from Porto, as the Spaniard becomes the Premier League champions' fourth arrival of the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old follows Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Omar Marmoush to the Etihad for the second half of the season, and he has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal in Manchester until the end of the 2028-29 campaign.
Man City are understood to have paid €60m (£49.9m) to capture the Spain Under-21 international as per a release clause in his contract, and speaking to the official Man City website, he revealed that he was "honoured" to have been hand-picked by Pep Guardiola to play for Man City.
"This is the perfect opportunity for me at this stage of my career. I am 23 and I want to test myself in England. There's no better club than Manchester City for me to do that," the former Barcelona youngster said.
"Look at the squad they have here. It's unbelievable, full of world-class players. There isn't a footballer in the world who would not want to be part of this set-up.
Man City chief reveals "difficult" Gonzalez negotiations
A message from Nico! 🩵👋 pic.twitter.com/VDbeFgJ1wG
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 3, 2025
"I know the reputation Pep has and I cannot wait to work with him. In fact, I am honoured he wants me to play in his team. I am truly excited. I just want to meet my teammates, and the staff here and then I want to play in front of the City fans!"
Man City director Txiki Begiristain admitted that it was a challenge to get a deal for Gonzalez over the line on deadline day, but he can envisage the midfielder playing an integral role in the club's pursuit of silverware in 2025.
"Nico is a very talented young midfielder. He is an ideal acquisition for Manchester City," Begiristain added. "It was a difficult transfer to complete because his performances this season have been outstanding and he has been such an important part of what FC Porto are doing.
"We are really happy we have managed to get this done before the window closed. He is ready to help us in the second half of the season as we compete in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Club World Cup."
Gonzalez came through Barcelona's famed La Masia youth system before joining Porto for just £7m in 2023, and he departs with a record of nine goals and nine assists in 68 appearances for the Portuguese giants in all competitions.
The 6ft 2in midfielder has demonstrated his prowess as an attacking force this season with seven goals and six assists from 29 matches in all tournaments, although he is also comfortable as a number six, making him an ideal Rodri replacement while the Ballon d'Or winner battles back from an ACL injury.
When could Gonzalez make his Man City debut?
© Imago
Gonzalez joins Man City five days before the Citizens are due to face Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fourth round, and the ex-Porto man could earn his baptism in that lunchtime kickoff this Saturday.
Failing that, Gonzalez could be thrown into the Champions League fire against Real Madrid in the first leg of Man City's Champions League playoff on February 11, four days before Newcastle United visit the Etihad in the Premier League.
Ben Knapton
