Manchester City have agreed a deal to re-sign Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille for £1.7 million, according to BBC Sport.
The 34-year-old will return to the Etihad Stadium nine years after first joining City. Rulli spent the 2016-17 season at the club but did not make a first-team appearance before returning to Real Sociedad on loan.
He has agreed a two-year contract and will provide cover for first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma following James Trafford’s departure for Leeds in a deal worth up to £45m.
Manchester City agree £1.7m deal for Marseille goalkeeper Rulli
Rulli has eight Argentina caps and was part of the squads that won the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America. He also has extensive European experience, having played for Real Sociedad, Montpellier, Villarreal, Ajax and Marseille.
The goalkeeper was a key figure in Villarreal’s 2021 Europa League final triumph over Manchester United. He scored in the penalty shootout before saving David de Gea’s decisive attempt to secure the trophy.
City’s move for Rulli follows earlier reports of their interest in the goalkeeper. L’Equipe reported last week that Manchester City had identified him as a target to replace Trafford, while Fabrizio Romano also reported that Rulli was keen on the move.
Rulli spent the past two seasons at Marseille and now returns to Manchester to take up a backup role behind Donnarumma as Enzo Maresca’s squad continues to take shape.