EDERSON’S eight-year stay at Manchester City is over after he signed for Fenerbahce in an £11million deal.
The Brazilian has been Pep Guardiola’s first-choice keeper since he moved from Benfica in summer 2017.
And he has been key to an incredible period of success – winning six Prem titles as well as the treble two years ago.
However, he has been unsettled since there was interest from Saudi Arabia last summer with his family keen to make the move then.
Guardiola talked him out of it – but Galatasaray have been chasing him this summer and it because clear he fancied the move.
They could not thrash out terms with City but their bitter rivals Fenerbahce made a late move to steal him from under their noses.
The 32-year-old arrived in Istanbul on Monday night to seal the move and was greeted by thousands of fans.
In the meantime, Pep has moved for Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma and his £26m move to the Etihad will be confirmed later this morning.
Guardiola also brought James Trafford back to the club last month and he has been in goal for the first three matches.
In a lengthy statement, Ederson said of his exit: “I leave Manchester City incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, and I am honoured to have worn the shirt so many times.
“Under Pep, we have won dominated the Premier League and conquered Europe. It has been amazing.
“I would first of all like to thank him and Head of Goalkeeping Xabier Mancisidor for making me the best goalkeeper I could be and teaching so much about the game. I must also thank my team-mates.
“Our desire to win every game we play has been a joy to be a part of and that has made me relish every day on the training field or in the dressing room with every one of you.
“Finally, the fans. Thank you for making me feel at home in a city so far away from where I am from and for supporting me throughout what has been an amazing period for me and my family.
“I arrived in Manchester eight years ago full of hope, but I could not have predicted such a beautiful time together.
“Playing for City has been the most special time of my life and I will always be a fan of this special club.
“I’m going with my wife and children, but I’m leaving a big family here, Cityzens. Once a Blue, always a Blue.”
City were adamant that Ederson would only move on if they secured a new shot stopper, and Donnarumma’s deadline day deal gave the green light for City to sell their long-serving goalkeeper.
When Ederson joined the club in a £35m deal from Benfica, he was the then second-most expensive goalkeeper in the world.
Famed for his expert sweeping and prowess with the ball at his feet, Ederson quickly became a key figure in the blue half of Manchester.
He went on to make 372 appearances in all competitions, including keeping 122 Premier League clean sheets which helped to make him the most decorated goalkeeper in Premier League history.
His other gongs with City include two FA Cups, four League Cups, the Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup – before the restructure this summer.
In 2023 Ederson was also named as the world’s best goalkeeper in Fifa‘s The Best awards, though he came second in the running for the Ballon d’Or’s Yashin Trophy behind Emiliano Martinez.
Ederson also won the Copa America in 2019 with his nation.
While the Prem’s transfer window – which saw more than £3billion spent – slammed shut at 7pm on Monday, the window in Turkey remains open until September 12.
In Saudi Arabia it is even longer, not closing until September 23.
Read the full article here