Official: Jack Grealish joins Manchester City in record deal
Jack Grealish joins the club
Manchester City have, this evening, announced the signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for one hundred million pounds.
HE’S HERE!
We are delighted to announce the signing of @JackGrealish on a six-year deal.
Welcome to City, Jack! 💙
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/5Y3gMREmKL
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 5, 2021
The England international has signed a six-year deal in Manchester, and becomes the most expensive Englishman in history, overtaking Manchester United duo Harry Maguire (80 million pounds) and Jadon Sancho (73 million pounds).
Speaking to the Manchester City site, Grealish said:
“I am incredibly happy to have joined Manchester City, City are the best team in the country with a manager considered to be the best in the world – it’s a dream come true to be part of this club.
“Over the past 10 seasons, they have won major trophies consistently. Pep coming here has taken them to the next level and the football this team plays is the most exciting in Europe. To play for Pep and learn from him is going to be special and it’s something any top footballer would want.
“The facilities are amazing, and I honestly can’t wait to get started, meet everyone and get playing.”
Meanwhile, Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added:
“We are absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Jack Grealish to Manchester City. He is an incredible talent.
“Jack’s development over the past few seasons both for club and country has been plain for everybody to see. His natural talent together with his commitment to improve as a player, has seen him become one of the most exciting attacking players in world football today.
“I am certain that the fans are going to love seeing him in our team. Pep loves the way he plays, and we all feel he is an ideal fit for Manchester City. Our style and his style are a perfect match. I’m excited to watch him over the coming years.”
Aston Villa CEO addresses Villa fanbase
Meanwhile, the CEO of Aston Villa, Christian Purslow spoke directly to Aston Villa fans, who have lost their talisman and captain.
Aston Villa CEO Christian Purslow updated supporters this evening on the circumstances surrounding the departure of Jack Grealish.
Here is his broadcast on VillaTV. pic.twitter.com/7wqh5Vs64R
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 5, 2021
Purslow revealed that Jack Grealish had a release clause to clubs in the Champions League (providing that Aston Villa were not in the Champions League) of 100 million pounds.
He continued:
“We set the value at a level we hoped would not be met, but that would reflect his truly unique value to Aston Villa”
Purslow also revealed that several clubs expressed interest in signing Grealish this summer below this release clause and that Aston Villa “simply refused to entertain those approaches”.
On Grealish, Purslow claimed:
“It was a highly emotional moment when he finally told me his decision, leaving me in no doubt how hard it had been for him to decide to leave our club, which he joined when he was six years old”
Clearly, although no easy decision, Grealish has made what he feels is the best choice for his career.
