Al Nassr sign Aymeric Laporte from Manchester City, links up with Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Marcelo Brozovic

ByJames Hilsum

Updated 24/08/2023 at 13:51 GMT

Al Nassr have completed the signing of Spain international Aymeric Laporte from Manchester City. The 29-year-old was a mainstay in City's 2021/22 Premier League title-winning side, but has fallen behind Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake in the pecking order. Pep Guardiola now also has Josko Gvardiol at his disposal after a £77m transfer from RB Leipzig, spelling the end of Laporte's time at the Etihad.

Aymeric Laporte has left Manchester City to join Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr for a reported €27.5 million euro (£23.6m) fee.

Laporte was a regular starter in City’s title-winning team of 2021/22, but has decided to make the move to Saudi Arabia after struggling for game time last term.

Laporte managed 24 appearances across all competitions in City’s treble-winning 2022/23 campaign, but that included just 11 starts in the Premier League.

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Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake both appeared more consistently for Pep Guardiola’s side, while their defensive ranks have been further bolstered following the £77m acquisition of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig.

Laporte becomes Al Nassr’s fifth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Sadio Mane, Seko Fofana, Marcelo Brozovic and Alex Telles, and the Spaniard also links up with Cristiano Ronaldo, who signed on a free transfer in December.

The defender leaves City after making a total of 180 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 12 goals and registering four assists in that time.

Since arriving in Manchester from Athletic Club in January 2018, the 29-year-old has won five Premier League titles, four League Cups, two FA Cups, and the Champions League.

Meanwhile, he also won his first trophy at international level after being part of the Spain side which won this summer’s UEFA Nations League.

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Of his time at City, Laporte said: “I am proud to have represented Manchester City over the last six seasons. 

“When I first joined, I was excited about the prospect of winning trophies. However, I could not have imagined the success we would go on to achieve together. 

“I would like to thank the coaches, my team-mates and of course the brilliant City fans for all of their support throughout my time in Manchester. 

“I will always be a City fan and I look forward to seeing you all again.”

Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “Aymeric has been an excellent player for Manchester City during a great time for the Club. 

“He fit into the team seamlessly upon arrival in 2018 and played a key role in many of our successes over the years that have followed. 

“The form of the other defenders in the squad made it hard for him to find sufficient game time in 2022/23 and we respect his decision to seek a move elsewhere. 

Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City poses for a photograph with the UEFA Super Cup trophy after the team's victory in the UEFA Super Cup 2023 match between Manchester City FC and Sevilla FC at Karaiskakis Stadium on August 16, 2023 in Piraeus, Greece.

Image credit: Getty Images

“I look forward to following his career from afar.”

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