Manchester City have signed Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United for an initial transfer fee of £42m.
Phillips began his career playing for his local football club – Wortley, before he joined Leeds United’s Academy aged 14, where he graduated through their youth ranks to make his senior debut in April 2015 as Leeds lost 4-3 to Wolves in a Championship clash.
The 25 year-old midfielder has since gone on to score 14 goals in 234 appearances across eight seasons for his hometown club, during which he produced a string of impressive performances as the Whites clinched promotion to Premier League in 2020 where they still remain.
City will pay an initial transfer fee of £42m which could rise to £45m in total once potential add-on clauses are met.
Speaking about his switch to City, Phillips stated that he was “absolutely delighted” to make the switch as he praised the club for having “… an amazing squad and a manager in Pep Guardiola who is rightly considered to be the finest in the world.”
On what it means to play under Guardiola and represent Man City this season, Phillips added: “To be able to play under Pep and learn from him and his coaching staff as well as be part of a such a fantastic squad is a prospect that I am incredibly excited about.
“City are a world-class Club with world-class staff and facilities and it’s a dream come true to have joined the Club.
“Now I can’t wait to get started and to look to try and help the team to go on and achieve more success.”
Shortly after confirmation of his move to City, Phillips took to Twitter to publish an open letter to Leeds fans in which he described the chance to play for the club as a “privilege” and paid tribute to ex manager – Marcelo Bielsa.
Dear @LUFC… ? pic.twitter.com/bA3YAcq7VJ
— Kalvin Phillips (@Kalvinphillips) July 4, 2022
Man City’s Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain added that the club had “long admire” Phillips who has made 23 international appearances for England since his first call-up in September 2020, whilst demonstrating “his fantastic ability and quality” in recent seasons for club and country.
Explaining what made City ultimately decide to swoop for Phillips, Begiristain said: “His reading of the game, alongside his passing ability, energy and drive make him a formidable talent and he is a player who has a fantastic will to win.
“We feel he will be a superb addition to our squad and that he will complement our game perfectly.
“Everyone here is looking forward to watch Kalvin play and develop even further over the next few years.”
Phillips has signed a six-year contract with Man City until June 2028 and will wear the no.4 shirt this season.
Phillips’ arrival also comes barely hours after City confirmed that Gabriel Jesus has departed the club to join Premier League rivals, Arsenal.
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