Manchester City Signs Benfica Defender
Manchester City has completed the signing of 23-year-old defender Ruben Dias from Benfica on a six-year deal for about £65m. Argentine centre-back Nicolas Otamendi has moved the other way for £13.7m. Dias becomes City boss Pep Guardiola’s third significant summer signing, following the arrivals of defender Nathan Ake and forward Ferran Torres.
According to the player he said: “To have the opportunity to join a club like Manchester City is a fantastic opportunity for me and one I couldn’t turn down.” “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.” The former Benfica defender graduated from the Benfica academy before making 113 senior appearances and winning the Portuguese title in 2018-19.
“Ruben is a player we have admired for some time and we have been impressed with how he has progressed at Benfica,” said City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain.
“He has developed into a real leader and as a defender, he has all the attributes we are looking for. He is strong in the air, good in one-v-one situations and technically, he is very good, so we are confident he can thrive in our system.”
