Manchester, June 10 (NationPress) — Manchester City has officially confirmed the acquisition of Rayan Cherki from Olympique Lyonnais, securing the French attacking midfielder on a five-year contract valid until 2030. At only 21 years old, Cherki has already made 185 senior appearances for his childhood club and has garnered considerable attention across Europe.

The young talent has signed a five-year agreement that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2030.

Cherki, who hails from Lyon’s prestigious academy, has demonstrated remarkable experience for someone of his age, having played 185 matches for his formative club,” stated the club in an announcement.

Born in Lyon, Cherki quickly ascended through the youth ranks, becoming the club’s youngest-ever scorer at age 16 and the youngest player to feature in a UEFA Champions League semi-final in that same season.

His performances during the 2024/25 season were particularly impressive. Cherki earned a spot in Ligue 1’s Team of the Season — one of only two players not from PSG to do so — underscoring his consistent excellence in a tumultuous Lyon squad. He contributed both goals and assists in a riveting Europa League quarter-final against Manchester United, where Lyon narrowly lost 7-6 on aggregate.

Following that, he had a standout performance for France’s Under-21 team in a thrilling 5-3 victory against England’s U-21 squad, providing two assists and scoring a goal against a team featuring City players Rico Lewis and James McAtee. Shortly thereafter, he made his senior debut for France, scoring in a dramatic UEFA Nations League semi-final against Spain and playing a vital role in securing third place against Germany.

Upon completing his transfer, Cherki expressed his excitement: “This is a dream for me,” he stated. “Joining a club like Manchester City and having the chance to develop under Pep Guardiola is incredibly special. I’ve dedicated my life to this, and I’m eager to show City fans what I can bring to the table,” he commented in a statement released on Tuesday.

Cherki also explained his decision to choose City over other options: “I would only depart from Lyon for a project I genuinely believe in, and everything at City indicates that I can enhance my game and assist the team in winning. Everyone knows the caliber of City – I am ready to accept the responsibility of contributing to that success.”

Cherki is known for his flair and unpredictability — traits that Guardiola has been keen to embrace in his recent signings. Following the arrivals of Savinho and Jeremy Doku, Cherki aligns perfectly with this vision: a fast, two-footed, technically gifted attacker who thrives in one-on-one situations and excels in tight spaces.

The Director of Football Hugo Viana praised their new addition: “He’s a player our scouts have been monitoring closely. His creativity, vision, and confidence with the ball set him apart as a top-tier talent. Under Pep’s direction, we believe Rayan can evolve into a world-class footballer.”

Cherki is available to join City immediately and is anticipated to participate in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the USA this summer.