Manchester City have completed the signing of defender Ruben Dias from Benfica for £65m, with Nicolas Otamendi moving in the opposite direction..
The 23-year-old has signed a six-year contract at Etihad.
Dias becomes City’s third signing of the window following the arrivals of Nathan Ake from Bournemouth and Ferran Torres from Valencia.
“To have the opportunity to join a club like Manchester City is a fantastic opportunity for me and one I couldn’t turn down,” Dias told Manchester City’s website.
“Their success speaks for itself. They have been the dominant team in England over the last few years, playing an attacking brand of football which I feel suits my own game.
“It is really exciting to be part of such a talented squad and to play for a world class manager like Pep Guardiola, who has a proven track record of developing young players like myself.
“I believe I can improve here, at a club whose ambitions match my own and I will give everything to be successful and win titles.”
Dias made over 100 appearances for Benfica across his three seasona at the club. He won the Primeira Liga with Benfica in the 2018-19 season.
He has also been capped 19 times by Portugal.
City have also confirmed that defender Nicolas Otamendi has left the club for Benfica.
The 32-year-old has left Manchester City after 5 years at the club.
He made 210 appearances for City, scoring 11 goals.
At City, Otamendi won two Premier League titles, 4 League cups and an FA.
“They were five wonderful years, not just in a footballing sense, but also at a club where they treat you in the best way possible, from the chefs to the kitmen, through to the backroom staff,” he told mancity.com.
“I’ve had the opportunity to win two Premier Leagues, to win the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup and the Community Shield. If you win titles it is because you are doing things well, and so I’m happy to have enjoyed these moments, and more than grateful.
“I was lucky enough since the first year I arrived to win a trophy, and later with the arrival of Pep to win even more. I am just happy to have played my part, with the support of my teammates and the staff.
“I [also] wanted to show my gratitude [to the fans]. Since my arrival they have always treated me well, from the people who bump into me in a service station or in a supermarket, they have always been so kind, saying nice things to me.
“I hope they are happy; I gave everything I could to the club, and I hope the success keeps coming. I send all my love to the fans.”
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