Soccer

Confirmed: Manchester City sign Nolito from Celta Vigo

Spanish attacker impressed in La Liga last season and during Euro 2016 group stage

Nolito of Spain celebrates with Alvaro Morata after he scores his side’s second goal against Turkey. Photograph: Getty Images
Nolito of Spain celebrates with Alvaro Morata after he scores his side’s second goal against Turkey. Photograph: Getty Images
Jamie Jackson
Fri Jul 01 2016 - 09:13

Pep Guardiola has made Nolito his second major signing as Manchester City coach, with the Spain forward joining from Celta Vigo for around £14m.

The 29-year-old has agreed a four-year deal, having previously worked under Guardiola at Barcelona, between 2008-9, with City understood to have triggered an €18m release clause in his contract.

Nolito said: “I’m very fortunate that it was he who handed me my debut at Barcelona. I know him a little, I was with him for a short while whenever he got me to train with the first team or included me in the playing squad. I think that Pep Guardiola is one of the best managers in the world. He knows a lot about the game and he’s going to help me progress as a player and I’m sure he’ll get the best out of me.

“It was a really satisfying feeling when I heard of City’s and Pep’s interest in me, and also that of Txiki [Begiristain, sporting director]. It’s something I’m really excited about and so here we are.”

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Nolito started all of Spain’s matches at Euro 2016 and scored against Turkey in the 3-0 group game win.

Of his ambitions at City, Nolito, who will wear the No 9 shirt, said: “I hope to perform well when I get the chance to feature and to be amongst the goals of course. Let’s hope that I can score whenever I make my debut, but firstly that we win the game. That would then be the dream debut and the perfect start.”

He also pointed to the influence of his grandparents, who raised him. “I was brought up by my grandfather and grandmother, they helped to educate me and they provided everything they possibly could for me. For that I am really proud of them and grateful for all they have done and continue to do for me. My grandfather was like a father to me and it was he who bought me my first football.

“They really are a motivation to me, because when you think back to going through more difficult times, by comparison now life is a lot easier. I remember that my grandad was just like a father to me and that he always used to take me along to training and pay my subs as a kid to the local teams in my town when he had to. You never forget stuff like that.

“I’m from Sanlucar de Barrameda, a town in the south of Spain. From as far back as I can remember I’ve always loved playing football. It’s been the same right through until today.”

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