Riyad Mahrez Moves to English Champions Man City for £60 Million

Premier League champions Manchester City bolster their attack with a big admirer of manager Pep Guardiola

Riyad Mahrez completes his move to Manchester City from Leicester City. 

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/Mahrez22)

Manchester City have signed Leicester City's Algeria forward Riyad Mahrez on a five-year contract, the English champions announced on Tuesday.

City did not disclose the transfer fee but British media reported the deal had cost a club record 60 million pounds ($79.6 million), more than the 57 million they paid Atletic Bilbao for French defender Aymeric Laporte in January.

The 27-year-old Mahrez, who won the Premier League title with Leicester in 2016, said he had moved to The Etihad Stadium for the chance to win more silverware and improve his own game.

“I am so pleased to have joined City, a side playing great football under Pep Guardiola,” said Mahrez, who played 179 times for Leicester, scoring 48 goals.

“Pep is committed to playing attacking football, which is a perfect for me, and City’s performances last season were outstanding. They’re redefining the English game and I wanted to be a part of it.”

I think we can be successful over the coming years and I believe my own game can develop under Pep’s management  

Riyad Mahrez, newly signed Manchester City winger

Mahrez was named PFA Players' Player of the Year after scoring 17 league goals in 37 matches as unfashionable Leicester shocked the soccer world by winning the Premier League two years ago.

He wanted to move in January and handed in a transfer request but ended up staying with Leicester when the club's valuation ended City's interest.

Ex-Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola and his tactical genius drew Mahrez to the Manchester club(Photo: AP)

“Over the past few years, he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting players," said City's Director of Football Txiki Begiristain. "We’re sure he will bring additional attacking quality to our squad.”

Mahrez was born in France and began his professional career at Le Havre, where he played 67 times over three years. He signed for Leicester in 2013 and helped the club win promotion to the Premier League by the end of his first season.

Mahrez helped them escape relegation the next season before their fairytale run to the title as they finished the campaign 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal having started the season as 5000-1 outsiders and tipped for relegation.