LONDON: England midfielder Jack Grealish has joined Manchester City in a British record £100m transfer from Aston Villa.

City submitted an offer last week which activated a £100m release clause in Grealish’s contract at Villa who have replaced him in buying Danny Ings from Southampton.

The move breaks the previous record set in 2016 when Paul Pogba rejoined Manchester United for £93.25m from Juventus.
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Grealish, who was given an extended break after playing for England at Euro 2020, has been training with his Villa team-mates in London las week before undergoing a City medical. He has signed a six-year contract.
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The 25-year-old had been torn about leaving the club he has supported all his life and been a part of for 19 years.  Villa were willing to offer him more in wages than he will earn at City, but he wants to win titles.
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Grealish is a Villa academy graduate and has made more than 200 appearances for the club, scoring 32 goals.
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Manchester City have announced the signing of Jack Grealish on a six-year deal from Aston Villa.

Grealish, 25, leaves Villa having made 213 appearances over the course of eight seasons, scoring 32 goals.

The Premier League champions had been heavily linked with England midfielder Grealish all summer, with a reported £100m British record deal agreed.

City confirmed Grealish will wear the number 10 shirt, which was recently vacated by the departure of long-serving striker Sergio Aguero.

He 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.
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Trophy lure
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“Over the past 10 seasons, they have won major trophies consistently. Pep (Guardiola) 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.”

Birmingham-born Grealish admitted it was not an easy decision to leave his boyhood club.

“It was obviously a difficult few months because I have been an Aston Villa fan for my whole life,” he said.

“But when I spoke to the manager here and you see what type of players they have got here, in the end it was something I couldn’t say no to. I am absolutely delighted to be here.”

Grealish revealed the chance to play Champions League football next season and to push for top club honours were key to moving to City this summer.

City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain hailed Grealish as “an incredible talent”.

Begiristain said: “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.”

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