Manchester City have wrapped up the signing of Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille — and at just £1.7 million, it is one of the shrewder pieces of business this summer. The 34-year-old has signed a two-year deal at the Etihad Stadium, returning to a club where he spent the 2016-17 season without making a single first-team appearance.
This time around, things are different. Rulli arrives with a well-worn passport and a reputation built across Europe's biggest stages. He steps in as cover for Gianluigi Donnarumma, filling the gap left by England keeper James Trafford, who completed a move to Leeds United for up to £45 million earlier this week.
For many fans, Rulli's name is inseparable from one night in Gdańsk, 2021. Villarreal faced Manchester United in the Europa League final, and it was Rulli who converted his own penalty before denying David de Gea in the decisive moment, handing the Yellow Submarine a famous triumph. That shootout heroics etched his name into football folklore.
The Argentine has since collected eight senior caps for his country, and formed part of the squads that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Copa America. His club journey has spanned Real Sociedad, Montpellier, Ajax and Marseille — a breadth of experience that City are happy to bank on as a backup option.
At 34, this is depth cover rather than a headline acquisition. But with a packed fixture schedule across the Premier League and European competitions, having a seasoned, reliable second goalkeeper is far from a luxury. City will sleep well knowing Donnarumma has genuine quality behind him if needed.
Transfer snapshot: Fee: £1.7m from Marseille | Contract: 2 years | Nationality: Argentina (8 caps) | Trophies: 2022 World Cup, 2024 Copa America | Previous clubs: Real Sociedad, Montpellier, Ajax, Marseille
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