Manchester City revealed on Monday that they have purchased Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips for 45 million pounds (USD 53 million). City agreed to a £42 million initial fee for the England international, with a further £3 million in potential bonuses.
“I am incredibly thrilled to have joined Manchester City,” Phillips, who has signed a six-year contract with Pep Guardiola’s side, stated.
After the loss of long-serving Brazilian Fernandinho at the end of last season, Guardiola has chosen Phillips to bolster his midfield. City reached an agreement in principle to sign Phillips in June, and the transfer is now finally official.
Phillips, who came through the youth ranks at Leeds, joins the Etihad Stadium after making 235 appearances for the club over the past eight seasons.
“City have again proved to be the best team in the country with an amazing squad and a manager in Pep Guardiola who is rightly considered to be the finest in the world,” Phillips said.
“To be able to play under Pep and learn from him and his coaching staff as well as be part of such a fantastic squad is a prospect that I am incredibly excited about
“City are a world-class club with world-class staff and facilities and it’s a dream come true to have joined the club.”
Phillips is City’s third close-season signing, following the arrivals of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund and Stefan Ortega Moreno from Arminia Bielefeld.
The 26-year-old came up through the Leeds development system and was instrumental in the club’s promotion back to the Premier League two years ago. He went on to become an England international, appearing in the team’s run to the European Championship final last year.
With the Phillips signing, City has shown their determination to retain the Premier League title, following the blockbuster swoop for Haaland.
Phillips’ arrival comes on the same day that City sold Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal, while City forward Raheem Sterling has also been linked with a move to Chelsea.
“We are absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Kalvin to Manchester City,” City director of football Txiki Begiristain said.
“He is a player that we have long admired, and at both domestic and international level, he has proved his fantastic ability and quality over the past few seasons.
“We feel he will be a superb addition to our squad and that he will complement our game perfectly.”
