Manchester City signs Geronimo Rulli on two-year deal

Manchester City has completed the signing of goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Olympique de Marseille on a two-year contract, bringing the 34-year-old Argentine back to a club he technically belonged to nearly a decade ago.

The transfer fee is expected to land somewhere between €2 million and €3.5 million.

A second chance, nine years in the making

Rulli’s connection to Manchester City dates back to 2016, when the club signed him for a reported £4 million. He spent the 2016-2017 season on the books but never made a single first-team appearance before being sold to Real Sociedad.

In the intervening years, Rulli built a career across some of Europe’s most competitive leagues. He became a cult figure at Villarreal, where he played a pivotal role in the club’s 2021 Europa League triumph. In that final against Manchester United, Rulli saved the decisive penalty in a marathon shootout, delivering a trophy to a club that had never won a major European title.

He earned eight caps for Argentina along the way, including squad selections for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa America, though he served as an unused substitute in both tournaments.

After a move to Ajax, Rulli transferred to Marseille in August 2024 for a reported €4 million. He went on to make 73 appearances in Ligue 1 across two seasons. His contract at Marseille was expected to run until June 2027.

The Trafford domino effect

Rulli’s signing is a direct consequence of James Trafford’s anticipated departure to Leeds United in a deal valued at approximately £40 million, or roughly $53 million.

With Trafford heading to Elland Road, City needed experienced cover in the goalkeeping department. Rulli is expected to serve as the backup to Gianluigi Donnarumma, who remains the clear first-choice option in goal for Pep Guardiola’s side.

The initial bid from City reportedly came in around €2 million, with Marseille pushing for closer to €3.5 million.

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