Manchester City have completed the signing of Benfica centre-back Ruben Dias. The former Premier League Champions announced the signing of the defender on Tuesday, in the wake of their most embarrassing defeat under Pep Guardiola.
Following the 5-2 thrashing of City in their own backyard, the Sky Blues have invested heavily in trying to replace Vincent Kompany after a gap of one year following the Belgian’s departure.
The Benfica academy graduate has signed a six-year deal with City and will see his contract run through to the other side of the decade.
The newly signed centre-back will wear the number 3 jersey at the club, as confirmed by City’s official Twitter handle.
Dias has made 137 appearances for Benfica and now seeks to strengthen Guardiola’s side. The 23-year-old could be the perfect partner to Aymeric Laporte, who is only 26 himself.
Should the two manage to click at the back, City could be in contention for having the best defence in the league alongside defending champions, Liverpool.
Since it is frowned upon to play a left-footed centre back on the right-hand side, Guardiola’s new man fits the bill. The Portuguese international is a right-footed centre back, is good in the air, and is a wall in one on one situations.
In a separate announcement, involving both the clubs in context, Nicolas Otamendi has moved in the other direction. The former Porto man moved to arch-rivals Benfica for a reported fee of €15 million.
Dias becomes City’s third signing of the summer transfer window after Ferran Torres and Nathan Ake.
“Their success speaks for itself. They have been the dominant team in England over the last few years, playing an attacking brand of football which I feel suits my own game.”
“It is really exciting to be part of such a talented squad and to play for a world-class manager like Pep Guardiola, who has a proven track record of developing young players like myself.”, Dias said after joining City.
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