Manchester City sign goalkeeper Rulli from Marseille

Manchester City completed the signing of Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille on a two-year contract, according to BBC Sport and ESPN. Rulli, 34, will serve as understudy to Gianluigi Donnarumma.

BBC Sport reported the fee as 1.7 million pounds, while ESPN reported the deal at 1.75 million euros fixed of up to 2 million euros total. The signing addresses the goalkeeper depth left vacant by James Trafford's departure to Leeds in a deal worth up to 45 million pounds, per BBC Sport.

Rulli previously spent the 2016-17 season at Manchester City without making a first-team appearance. He has since become an established professional across spells at Real Sociedad, Montpellier and Ajax before joining Marseille. According to BBC Sport, Rulli scored a penalty in Villarreal's 2021 Europa League final victory over Manchester United.

On the international stage, Rulli has won eight caps for Argentina and was part of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America and reached the 2026 World Cup final, per BBC Sport. Hugo Viana, Manchester City's director of football, said according to ESPN, "The experience he brings is obvious, he has played at the very highest level for many years." Rulli said in a statement carried by BBC Sport, "This is an amazing opportunity for me and one I had to grasp. When the chance to join Manchester City comes along you have to go for it."

The fee discrepancy reported by BBC and ESPN, with BBC citing 1.7 million pounds and ESPN listing 1.75 million euros fixed of a 2 million euro total, reflects different reporting methods on the announcement but does not resolve in the sources which figure represents the final agreed sum.