Elliot Anderson has hailed Manchester City as the “kings of Manchester” after completing a reported £116 million ($154 million) transfer from Nottingham Forest.
City confirmed on Thursday that the England international has put pen to paper on a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium, with a further 12-month option included.
The agreement was reached earlier in the month, but was only formally completed this week after Anderson returned from the World Cup.
Speaking after the move, Anderson said he is “over the moon” to be joining “one of the biggest clubs in the world.” The 23-year-old added: “I can’t wait to play for this club. It’s a team built to win trophies and to challenge at the very top of the sport. That’s something that excites any footballer.”
He continued: “I think they’re winners, they’re relentless, and that’s the kind of side I want to be part of. Over the last 10 or 12 years, they’ve dominated, and that’s why I was keen to come here.”
Anderson also said he is already counting down to a Manchester derby, with City set to take on arch-rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 13.
“It’s one of the biggest derbies in the world,” Anderson said. “And as long as I’ve known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester. It’s going to be a fantastic game, and I can’t wait to be involved in something like that.”
Anderson rose through the youth system at Newcastle, making 55 appearances for his boyhood club before moving to Forest two years ago in a £35 million switch. In total, he played 92 matches for the Midlands outfit.
He received his first call-up to the England set-up last season and quickly established himself as a key part of Thomas Tuchel’s group, which finished third at the World Cup.
“I’m only 23, so I’ve got plenty of time to reach my very best levels,” Anderson said. “I’m definitely not there yet, and there’s more to come from me.”
“I think I offer a bit of everything—quality, physicality, and energy,” he added. “I’d like to think I can get supporters fired up, get them on their feet, and bring that momentum into the team.”
Anderson is due to join Enzo Maresca’s squad for pre-season training next month. City director of football Hugo Viana said: “Elliot is one of the standout young midfielders in world football. We believe he can develop into a complete midfielder.”
The arrival comes just days after another England midfielder, Morgan Rogers, completed a move to Chelsea from Aston Villa for a reported £117 million—an amount that broke the transfer record for a British player.
