Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Jeremy Doku from Stade Rennais on a five-year contract until 2028.
Doku, 21, will become City’s third signing of the summer after midfielder Mateo Kovacic and defender Josko Gvardiol and has been handed the number 11 shirt after joining for a fee of over £55m following the departure of Riyad Mahrez.
A flying right sided winger who is good with the ball at his feet, he represents the start of another tactical evolution for Pep Guardiola’s team as he has tracked the addition of a central midfielder as well – Matheus Nunes of Wolves has also been targeted after City missed out on Declan Rice and potentially Lucas Paqueta.
In the three years in Rennes since joining from RSC Anderlecht Doku made 92 appearances, notching 12 goals and 10 assists, ending last season in a rich vein of form.
He will join his Belgian international captain Kevin De Bruyne at the Etihad Stadium having featured for the national team at both the 2020 Euros and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Doku said: “This is a great day for me, both personally and professionally.
“Manchester City are the best team in world football, so to be joining them is something very special for me and my family.
“I am a young player with so much learning and improving to do.
Working with Pep and his staff, and playing alongside these work-class players, will make me a much better player. I feel sure of that.
“Watching City last season was amazing.
“To win the Treble is the hardest thing in football and they did it.
“You cannot imagine how exciting it is to be joining this team. I cannot wait to get started. Hopefully I can make the fans happy.”
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “Jeremy is a very exciting young player and I’m so pleased he’s joining us.
“In terms of raw attributes, he has everything a winger needs. He has outstanding pace and he is exceptional in one-on-one situations.
“I honestly believe working with Pep and the technical staff here at City will see him develop into a world-class attacking talent.”