Kalvin Phillips Completes £45 Million Transfer To Manchester City

Manchester City have officially completed the £45 million signing of Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United.

As announced by the club this morning, the 26-year-old has signed a six-year deal, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until at least 2028.

He was also wear the number four, previously worn by club captain, Vincent Kompany.

The so-called 'Yorkshire Pirlo' has really rose to prominence since earning promotion with his boyhood club in 2019.

Under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa - one of Pep Guardiola's closest friends - Phillips has developed into a combative midfielder, capable of playing multiple roles.

With such a jam-packed World Cup season, his versatility will be a huge boost to Guardiola, who will - once again - be hoping to compete on four fronts.

Speaking to CityTV, Phillips has been giving his initial reaction to such a big transfer.

“I am absolutely delighted to have joined Manchester City,” he began. 

“City have again proved to the best team in the country with an amazing squad and a manager in Pep Guardiola who is rightly considered to be the finest in the world.

“To be able to play under Pep and learn from him and his coaching staff as well as be part of a such a fantastic squad is a prospect that I am incredibly excited about. 

“City are a world-class club with world-class staff and facilities and it’s a dream come true to have joined the club. 

“Now I can’t wait to get started and to look to try and help the team to go on and achieve more success.” 

Last season, Phillips made only 20 Premier League appearances and was hit by a number of persistent injuries, but came back just in time to rescue Leeds from relegation.

On a dramatic final day, Jesse Marsch's side scored a 93rd minute winner to relegate Burnley and maintain Premier League football at Elland Road for yet another season.

However, after 233 appearances and 13 goals in Yorkshire, Phillips feels like this is the right time to make the step up and compete at the highest level.

The midfielder is already a regular in Gareth Southgate's England set-up, but will want to test his ability in the most elite competition of them all - the UEFA Champions League.

Rodri is already a regular fixture in Guardiola's starting XI, so Phillips will know the job he has to displace one of Europe's finest defensive midfielders.

Making the big decision to leave your boyhood club is something Phillips' England teammate, Jack Grealish knows all too well.

He left Aston Villa last summer for a British-record £100 million fee, but his move was quickly vindicated by picking up a Premier League winners medal.

Everyone at City Xtra would like to welcome Kalvin to City and look forward to seeing how he develops in a Sky Blue shirt!