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Manchester City Sign 34-Year-Old Rulli On Two-Year Deal

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Manchester City

The Argentina international has signed a two-year deal after leaving Marseille to provide experienced cover for Gianluigi Donnarumma

Manchester City have completed the signing of 34-year-old Argentina international Gerónimo Rulli from Olympique de Marseille on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, bringing the experienced goalkeeper back to the Etihad Stadium on a two-year contract.

Also read: Why I Left Aston Villa for Manchester United – Youri Tielemans

Rulli returns to Manchester City after previously spending the 2016/17 season at the club without making a senior appearance. His latest arrival is designed to provide experienced competition and cover for first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

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The move follows the departure of James Trafford, who has left Manchester City for Leeds United, creating the need for another experienced option behind Donnarumma.

Rulli welcomed the opportunity to return to the Premier League champions, describing the move as a significant moment in his career.

“This is an amazing opportunity for me and one I had to grasp,” Rulli said in a Manchester City statement. “When the chance to join Manchester City comes along, you have to take it. Everyone knows what an impressive club this is.”

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The Argentine goalkeeper arrives with a substantial European pedigree. Since leaving Manchester City, Rulli has represented Real Sociedad, Montpellier, Villarreal, Ajax and Marseille, gaining experience across several of Europe’s major competitions.

His spell at Villarreal produced one of the defining achievements of his club career. Rulli played a key role in Villarreal’s 2021 Europa League triumph, which came against Manchester United in the final.

Internationally, Rulli has won eight caps for Argentina and was part of the squads that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa América.

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His international career has largely placed him behind Emiliano Martínez in Argentina’s goalkeeping hierarchy, but his experience has kept him within the national set-up.

Rulli had also established himself as an important figure at Marseille. He joined the French club in 2024 and had a contract running until June 2027, making his move to Manchester City a relatively swift change in direction after a period in which Marseille had reportedly intended to retain him.

Reports indicate that Manchester City paid approximately £1.7 million for the goalkeeper, while other reports put the transfer fee at around €3.5 million. The two-year agreement takes Rulli’s contract through June 2028.

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The signing also has an unusual element of familiarity. Manchester City originally recruited Rulli in 2016, but the goalkeeper never appeared for the first team before continuing his development elsewhere.

A decade later, Rulli returns to a club with considerably different expectations around him. Rather than competing immediately for the No. 1 shirt, his principal task will be to offer reliable experience whenever Donnarumma is unavailable and to provide competition within the goalkeeping group.

For Manchester City, the transfer represents a pragmatic piece of squad building following Trafford’s departure. For Rulli, it offers a remarkable second opportunity at a club where his first spell ended without a competitive appearance.

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Also read: Why I Left Aston Villa for Manchester United – Youri Tielemans

The reunion gives the veteran goalkeeper another chance to make his mark at the Etihad, this time with a wealth of experience and major honours behind him.

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Liverpool Releases Moving Biography Honouring Diogo Jota

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Liverpool Diogo Jota biography, Forever in Our Hearts, celebrates the late forward’s life, career and legacy, with profits funding grassroots football

Liverpool Football Club have released a new biography celebrating the life and legacy of former forward Diogo Jota, with all profits from the book set to support a grassroots football programme being established in his name through the LFC Foundation.

Also read: PRP Rejects Bauchi’s Proposed N298bn Loan

Titled ‘Forever in Our Hearts’, the biography was written by Portuguese author and former professional footballer José Delgado and published by Reach Sport. Liverpool announced the release on Thursday, October 22, 2026, through a post on the club’s official X account.

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The book traces Jota’s journey from his early years in Portugal to his rise as one of his generation’s respected forwards and a much-loved member of the Liverpool football family.

Drawing on interviews with family members, friends, teammates and coaches, the biography offers a personal account of the footballer’s character, professional achievements and relationships beyond the pitch.

Contributors include Jota’s wife, Rute, his parents, Isabel and Joaquim, and former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, alongside more than 90 other people who knew him throughout his life and career.

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Their recollections highlight Jota’s determination, humility and commitment to football, while exploring the personal qualities that earned him affection among teammates, supporters and colleagues.

The biography also celebrates the close bond between Jota and his brother, André Silva, reflecting on the impact both men had on those around them and the wider football community.

Jota enjoyed significant success during his career, winning the Premier League with Liverpool and the UEFA Nations League with Portugal.

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His performances, work ethic and contribution to the teams he represented helped establish his reputation in European football.

However, ‘Forever in Our Hearts’ also confronts the tragedy of July 2025, when Jota and André died, leaving family members, friends, teammates and supporters mourning their loss.

Delgado said the project began as an effort to preserve Jota’s memory during a period of profound sadness, with a commitment to presenting an honest and respectful account of the lives of both brothers.

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“My commitment throughout was to tell his story with care, honesty and respect for Diogo, André, and the family and friends who loved them,” Delgado said.

The author added that the willingness of those closest to the brothers to share their memories had helped capture their personalities and the depth of affection they inspired.

Reflecting on Jota’s relationship with Liverpool, Delgado said the accounts gathered during his research revealed qualities extending beyond his footballing ability, including humility, dedication and personal character.

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He expressed hope that the biography would provide a lasting tribute while inspiring future generations of footballers.

The book is available through official Liverpool FC stores and online, with proceeds directed towards the grassroots football programme being developed in Jota’s name through the LFC Foundation.

The release forms part of Liverpool’s continuing efforts to honour the forward and his brother. Earlier in 2026, the club unveiled a permanent memorial outside Anfield, giving supporters a dedicated place to remember the brothers and reflect on their legacy.

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Through the biography and the planned community football initiative, Liverpool is seeking to ensure that Jota’s influence endures beyond his playing career, helping create opportunities for young people to participate in the sport he loved.

Also read: PRP Rejects Bauchi’s Proposed N298bn Loan

The project combines remembrance with a practical commitment to grassroots development, offering a way for Jota’s passion for football to continue benefiting future generations.

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