Antoine Semenyo is now a Manchester City player after completing a £65million transfer from Bournemouth on Friday morning.
The 26-year-old has put pen-to-paper on a five-and-a-half year contract at the Etihad Stadium.
City have met Semenyo’s £65million release clause which had to be activated before Saturday and they will pay £62.5m across 24 monthly instalments plus bonuses.
The Ghana international will wear the No 42 shirt at City and he is relishing to get started at his new club.
‘I am so proud to have joined Manchester City,’ Semenyo, who will be part of their squad for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie with Exeter City, said.
‘They have set the highest of standards and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep [Guardiola].
‘I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.
‘My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that.’
Antoine Semenyo is ‘ideal’ for Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s side have beaten rivals Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to his signature.
And speaking about their new player, director of football Hugo Viana said Semenyo’s arrival is ‘really exciting’.
‘Antoine is a really exciting signing for the football club. He made it clear to us immediately that it was City he wanted to join,’ he said.
‘He has huge quality. Two great feet, pace, power, a habit of influencing games and, importantly, real room for growth and development.
‘We are constantly watching players all over the world. Antoine was the one we most wanted. He has shown he can perform in the Premier League. He is humble, hard-working, professional and totally focused on being a better footballer – he is ideal for us.’
It is a club-record sale for Bournemouth who signed the forward for £10m in January 2023 from Bristol City.
Semenyo leaves them having scored 10 Premier League goals this season, including four in his last six games. He gave the Cherries a perfect leaving present with a late winner in Wednesday night’s 3-2 victory over Spurs.
