(Reuters) – Manchester City have signed England worldwide midfielder Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United on a six-year contract, the Premier League champions introduced on Monday.
Financial particulars of the deal weren’t disclosed however British media reported that the 26-year-old was signed in a deal value 45 million kilos ($54.53 million) together with add-ons.
“City have once more proved to be one of the best group within the nation with an incredible squad and a supervisor in Pep Guardiola who’s rightly thought-about to be the best on the planet,” Phillips stated in an announcement.
“To be capable of play below Pep and study from him and his teaching workers in addition to be a part of such a unbelievable squad is a prospect that I’m extremely enthusiastic about.”
Phillips joined Leeds’ academy on the age of 14 earlier than making his senior debut within the 2014-15 season. He performed greater than 200 video games for Leeds, scoring 14 targets.
The midfielder has earned 23 caps for England since making his debut in 2020 and featured on the European Championships final yr, the place coach Gareth Southgate’s group misplaced within the remaining to Italy in a penalty shootout.
He is City’s third signing of the shut season window, after the arrival of striker Erling Haaland and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
Phillips will strengthen City’s midfield following the departure of midfielder Fernandinho, as supervisor Guardiola appears so as to add key gamers of their bid to retain the league title and proceed their push for Champions League glory.
“His studying of the sport, alongside his passing capability, power and drive make him a formidable expertise and he’s a participant who has a unbelievable will to win,” City director of soccer Txiki Begiristain stated.
“We really feel he might be an excellent addition to our squad and that he’ll complement our sport completely.”
City, who face FA Cup holders Liverpool within the Community Shield on July 30, start their title defence with a visit to West Ham United on Aug. 7.
($1 = 0.8252 kilos)
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)