Manchester City Sign Marseille Goalkeeper Rulli For £1.7m

Manchester City have completed the signing of Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Ligue 1 side Marseille for a fee of £1.7 million, the Premier League champions confirmed.

The 34-year-old returns to the Etihad Stadium more than nine years after his first spell at the club, during which he spent the 2016-17 season as a squad member but failed to make a single first-team appearance. He has now signed a two-year contract with City.

Rulli arrives with a reputation forged in high-pressure moments, most notably his starring role in Villarreal’s 2021 Europa League final victory over Manchester United. After coming on as a late substitute in extra time, he saved a penalty from United’s David de Gea in the shootout and also converted his own spot-kick to clinch the trophy for the Spanish side.

On the international stage, Rulli has earned eight caps for Argentina and was part of the squads that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Copa America in the United States, though he served primarily as backup to Emiliano Martínez in both tournaments.

His career has taken him across Europe, with previous spells at Real Sociedad, Montpellier and Ajax, as well as a loan return to Villarreal before his move to Marseille last year. At Marseille, he made 24 appearances across all competitions last season.

At City, Rulli will serve as understudy to first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined the club last summer. His arrival comes as a direct replacement for England goalkeeper James Trafford, who completed a move to Leeds United earlier this week in a deal that could rise to £45 million with add-ons.

With City competing on multiple fronts including the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups, the club moved swiftly to bring in an experienced deputy to provide cover and competition for Donnarumma. Rulli is expected to be available for selection immediately.