City are delighted to announce the signing of French centre-back Aymeric Laporte.

The 23-year-old joins the Club from Athletic Bilbao as Pep Guardiola’s sixth signing of the 2017/18 season and has signed a deal until 2023.

Regarded as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe, Laporte will take the number 14 shirt and is eager to help the Blues in their hunt for silverware.

“I am very happy to be here,” Laporte declared. “City are a Club with a lot of ambition and they are one of the best teams in Europe.

“I am looking forward to working under Pep Guardiola and trying to help the Club to achieve success.

“It means a lot that the Club have shown faith in me and I am excited to get started.”

Laporte is a left-footed defender, recognised for his calmness, strength and passing ability. He began his senior career with Bilbao in 2012, after representing their B side and gaining first-team experience with CD Basconia.

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At youth level, he began his journey with hometown Club SU Agen and French outfit Bayonne before making the switch to Spain.

Impressed by his skill and potential, Athletic Bilbao quickly secured his services and he went on to become a first-team regular. In total, he clocked up 222 appearances for the Club, scoring ten goals.

Also employed as a left-back, the Frenchman was named in La Liga’s 2013/14 Team of the Year. In the 2015/16 campaign, he helped Athletic Bilbao to Supercopa de Espana glory – their first piece of major silverware for 31 years.

On the international stage, he has represented France at youth level.

Txiki Begiristain, City’s Director of Football, stated: “We are delighted to have signed Aymeric.

“We have assessed defensive options and he is a player we have admired for a long time.

“With his quality and ability to play out from the back, we feel Aymeric will fit in perfectly with Pep Guardiola’s playing style.”

Everyone at Manchester City would like to welcome Aymeric to the Club and wish him the best of luck as he begins his new adventure here at the Etihad Stadium.

Keep your eye on mancity.com throughout the day for more on our new signing.