Premier League giants Manchester City have officially announced the signing of Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
The transfer fee is believed to be in the region of £17m and the new four-year contract will keep Bravo at the English club until 2020.
It’s that time again!
Let’s all #WelcomeClaudio to Manchester City!
➡️ https://t.co/0u4QqLUsYT pic.twitter.com/oDlo6UwC6V
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 25, 2016
Speaking to the club’s official website, Bravo said: “I’m very proud to be joining Manchester City. I know the club is building something very special and I hope I can be part of many successes in the coming years.”
“I have followed City’s progress in recent years and obviously know some of my new team-mates from the Copa America.”
“It is not easy to leave a club like Barcelona where I had two fantastic years, but the opportunity to work with Pep Guardiola was too good to refuse. Now I will challenge the other great goalkeepers the club has and together I hope we can win many trophies.”
Guardiola added: “Claudio is a fantastic goalkeeper and an excellent addition to our squad.
“He has experience and great leadership qualities and is in the prime of his life. He is a goalkeeper I have admired for a number of years and I’m really happy he is now a City player.”
After taking charge at Man City, Pep Guardiola had hinted that Joe Hart is not in his plans for the new season and now the former Barcelona and Bayern Minich boss has roped in Bravo due to his abilities with the ball at feet coupled with loads of experience.
Bravo has of the highest save rates in Europe’s top five leagues, with two La Liga and Copa America titles to his name.
Hart has been under the radar of top clubs this summer, with Everton, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund set to make a move for the star keeper.
Recent reports claim that Hart Is expected to make an exit on a loan move brfore the summer transfer window closes.