Mercato: it’s official, Jérémy Doku leaves Rennes for Manchester City

2023-08-24 23:02:21

Rennes’ Belgian right winger Jérémy Doku (21) became Manchester City’s third summer signing on Thursday by signing with the English club until 2028, the European champions team announced. “It’s a big day for me, both personally and professionally. Manchester City are the best football team in the world, so joining them is something very special for me and my family,” Doku said in a club statement.

“Manchester City is pleased to confirm the signing of Jérémy Doku,” the English club wrote in a statement. “The 21-year-old has signed a five-year contract (…) until the summer of 2028”.

The lively striker crosses the Channel to join the armada of Pep Guardiola, its stars galore, its boundless ambition and its three trophies amassed last season (Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League).

I’m so proud to join this great club. I can’t wait to get started and to make history together! Thank you for welcoming me to your city, see you soon ???? pic.twitter.com/lDXQdZhO86

— Jeremy Doku (@JeremyDoku) August 24, 2023

Diving into the deep end of the European giants will offer an intense challenge to Doku, a right winger renowned for his percussion and dribbling skills in Ligue 1, in view of the competition in his position. A place has certainly been released with the departure of Riyad Mahrez in Saudi Arabia. But the Algerian was only a (luxury) substitute in a squad where the versatile Bernardo Silva and the enthusiastic Phil Foden, named man of the match on Saturday against Newcastle (1-0), shone on the side.

Manchester City tapped into the wallet of its wealthy Emirati owner to hire the young Belgian. Stade Rennes would have let go of its player for 55.5 million pounds (around 65 M EUR), according to specialized media, which would constitute a record for the Breton institution, far ahead of the 35 M EUR disbursed in June 2022 by West Ham for Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd.

With Doku, Manchester City made a recruitment by line this summer, after Croatian Josko Gvardiol in defense and his compatriot Mateo Kovacic in midfield.