Manchester City Signs Argentina Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille
Manchester City has finalized the acquisition of Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille. The 34-year-old player returns to the Etihad Stadium, where he spent the 2016-17 season without appearing in a first-team match, signing a two-year contract.
According to BBC Sport, City has paid a fee of £1.7 million for the goalkeeper. Rulli will replace England’s James Trafford, who transferred to Leeds United in a deal worth up to £45 million, and will serve as the backup to first-choice Gianluigi Donnarumma.
“This is an amazing opportunity for me and one I had to grasp. When the chance to join Manchester City comes along, you have to go for it,” Rulli expressed. He added, “Everyone knows what an impressive club this is. City’s success over a long time has been impressive. Everyone I have spoken to about City said I had to join them because they are a club with incredibly high standards.”
Rulli emphasized the value of being in a high-performance environment, stating, “I can’t wait to get started because I know I will improve and learn, which is always my main priority.”
In his career, Rulli famously scored a penalty in Villarreal’s 2021 Europa League final victory over Manchester United and denied David de Gea in a crucial shootout decision. He has earned eight caps for Argentina and was part of the squad that claimed victory in the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America, reaching the upcoming 2026 World Cup final.
Throughout his career, Rulli has played for various clubs across Europe, including Real Sociedad, Montpellier, and Ajax.
Manchester City have completed the signing of Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille.
The 34-year-old returns to Etihad Stadium – where he spent the 2016-17 season without making a first-team appearance – on a two-year deal.
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BBC Sport previously reported that City have paid a fee of £1.7m.
He comes in as a replacement for England goalkeeper James Trafford, who left City to join Leeds in a deal worth up to £45m, and will be understudy to number one Gianluigi Donnarumma.
“This is an amazing opportunity for me and one I had to grasp. When the chance to join Manchester City comes along you have to go for it,” Rulli said.
“Everyone knows what an impressive club this is. City’s success over a long time has been impressive. Everyone I have spoken to about City said I had to join them because they are a club with incredibly high standards.
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“Every professional wants to be in a high-performance environment and I can’t wait to get started because I know I will improve and learn, which is always my main priority.”
Rulli famously scored a penalty in Villarreal’s 2021 Europa League final victory over Manchester United, before denying opposite number David de Gea to decide the marathon shootout.
He has won eight caps for Argentina and was part of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America, and reached the 2026 World Cup final.
Rulli has also had spells at clubs around Europe including Real Sociedad, Montpellier and Ajax.
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