Manchester City have bolstered their midfield by signing England international Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £116 million.
The 23-year-old agreed a five-year contract at the Etihad and promptly declared his new employers the “kings of Manchester” in a move sure to charm the fans.
Anderson began his career at Newcastle United, making 55 appearances and taking in an impressive loan spell at Bristol Rovers, where he earned the nickname ‘Geordie Maradona’.
He then switched to Forest two years ago, featuring 92 times while becoming a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad.
Anderson praises Man City
After joining the Citizens, Anderson said on Sky Sports: “I can’t wait to play for this club.
“It’s a club built to win trophies and compete at the very top of the game. That is exciting for any footballer.
“I think they’re winners, they’re relentless and that’s the sort of team I want to be a part of.
“Over the last 10, 12 years, they’ve dominated, so that’s why I wanted to join.”
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The kings of Manchester
Prior to signing for Enzo Maresca’s team, Anderson was considered a Manchester United target, and he is already anticipating the first Manchester derby of the season – on September 13 at Old Trafford.
“It’s one of the biggest derbies in the world,” he admitted.
“And for as long as I’ve known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester.
“It’ll be a great fixture, and I can’t wait to be involved in something like that.”
Playing with a legend
On playing with Man City legend Kevin De Bruyne, Anderson added: “I think Kevin De Bruyne is someone who I’ve hugely looked up to over the past seven or eight years.
“I’ve always wanted to play like him.
“I’ve watched him all the time, and to be sat here in the team that he was doing it for is so special.”
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