Manchester City have re-signed former youth left back Angelino from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven on a four-year deal for a cut price fee of £5.35m.
Angelino had initially moved to City in 2012 and also spent time on loan at New York City and NAC Breda before making a permanent move to the Dutch giants PSV at the start of the 2018/19 season on a five year deal.
In his time at Manchester City, Angelino had come to be seen as an attacking left back whose defensive qualities needed some work.
But after his departure to the Dutch Eredivisie his star began to rise.
Angelino had an outstanding season with PSV, making 34 league appearances, scoring once, and providing 10 assists and going on to be named as the Dutch Eredivisie Talent of the Year as well as being named in the Eredivisie Team of the Year for a second consecutive season.
The Spaniard also gained Champions League experience, playing in all six of PSV’s group games against Barcelona, Spurs, and Inter Milan.
In domestic competition PSV finished second behind eventual champions Ajax, losing just 3 matches last season to re-qualify for the Champions League.
Angelino’s buy back clause
City reportedly had a cut-price buyback clause inserted into the deal with PSV worth around £5.35m and, with interest starting to grow around Europe for his services, the club have moved to bring him back to the Etihad.
The return of Angelino is useful for City who have struggled with squad size while meeting UEFA’s home grown player criteria to play in the Champions League.
He will qualify as one of City’s 8 home grown players in their Champions League squad without counting against the main squad.
He is expected to provide competition at left back for de facto first choice Oleksandr Zinchenko who recently signed a new deal himself.
Zinchenko was also awarded the vacant number 11 shirt this week and will also face competition from Benjamin Mendy who is still recovering from surgery after a succession of injuries since he joined the club.
“I am thrilled to have re-joined City, a side playing incredible football under Pep Guardiola,” Angelino said. “Watching them while playing in Holland has been a pleasure.
“City’s performances over the last two seasons have been incredible and I am very excited about returning and hopefully contributing to the Club’s bid for more success.
“I believe my own game can develop under Pep’s management and I am very confident that the Club will go from strength to strength over the next few years.
“The style of football we play here excites me, and I am determined to win more silverware. City gives me the best chance of doing that.”
City Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “Angelino is a hugely talented young player and is an accomplished defender with great potential.
“Over the past year, he has gained excellent experience playing in the Eredivisie and the Champions League with PSV Eindhoven.
“We’re sure that he will bring additional defensive quality to our squad.”
Rodri Manchester City deal imminent
City appear to have sealed a £62.8m deal for Rodri from Athletico Madrid after the Spanish club announced that his buyout clause had been paid by City.
City have not confirmed the deal yet but are believed to have finalised a club record move for the defensive midfielder who has been called the ‘new Sergio Busquets’.