Mahrez moving to Manchester City for reported club-record fee
Riyad Mahrez is swapping one Premier League winner for another.
Manchester City announced Tuesday the signing of the former PFA Player of the Year Mahrez, with the rags-to-riches Leicester City talisman making the move northwest on a five-year deal.
BBC Sport reports that City have shelled out £60 million for the tricky winger, exceeding the previous club-record £57 million paid for centre-half Aymeric Laporte.
"I am so pleased to have joined City, a side playing great football under Pep Guardiola," Mahrez said Tuesday.
The best things come to those who wait… 🕘#welcomeriyad to Manchester City! 💙 #mancity pic.twitter.com/lLjJZrz4J0
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 10, 2018
"Watching them from afar has been a pleasure. Pep is committed to playing attacking football, which is perfect for me, and City’s performances last season were outstanding. They’re redefining the English game and I wanted to be a part of it."
Long linked with Manchester City, Mahrez's former side and the current Premier League holder engaged in discussions over him in January, prompting reports of unrest at Leicester and a subsequent self-imposed exile by the Sarcelles star.
In 179 matches with the Foxes following a move from French talent incubator Le Havre, Mahrez scored 48 goals, including 17 league tallies during Leicester's shocking 2015-16 title run. The Algerian was rewarded for his efforts, earning the PFA Player of the Year and CAF African Footballer of the Year honours in 2016.