Man City sign Marseille keeper Rulli for £1.7m as Trafford leaves for Leeds

Manchester City agreed to sign Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille for £1.7 million on a two-year contract, effective immediately. He will back up Gianluigi Donnarumma after James Trafford’s club-record £40 million move to Leeds United. For Nigerian fans following the Premier League, City’s goalkeeper situation affects their title chase and Champions League hopes; Trafford’s departure shows United’s ongoing squad overhaul, which could influence opportunities for Nigerian players seeking loans or sales to English clubs. Rulli, 34, spent last season at Marseille with one year left on his contract; he previously played for Villarreal. Meanwhile, Manchester United defender Radek Vitek joined Middlesbrough on a permanent deal worth up to £14m (£7m upfront plus £7m add-ons), with United retaining a 35% sell-on clause and a buy-back option. Vitek spent last season on loan at Bristol City. With City securing experienced backup and United cashing out on defenders, will Nigerian scouts focus more on goalkeeping talent or defensive prospects for future Premier League moves, and which clubs offer the clearest pathways?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/08/transfer-man-city-sign-rulli-as-another-player-leaves-man-utd/