City coach Pep Guardiola wanted to add another centre back to his squad to challenge Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones with ongoing injury concerns surrounding captain Vincent Kompany. Laporte, a left-footed defender, was a first-team regular at Bilbao since breaking through in the 2012-13 season and he helped them win the 2015 Spanish Super Cup.Defensive reinforcements acquired! ??? Please #welcomeaymeric to the Club! pic.twitter.com/cDu4FWOKlb
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 30, 2018
Manchester City have signed French central defender Aymeric Laporte from Spanish club Athletic Bilbao, the Premier League leaders said on Tuesday.
British newspapers reported that City paid a club-record 57m pounds ($81m) for the 23-year-old who has signed a contract until 2023.
