Belgium winger Jeremy Doku has officially joined Manchester City from Rennes for a transfer fee of £55.4 million. The 21-year-old has signed a five-year contract with last season’s Treble winners.
Doku, who has accumulated 16 caps for the Belgian national team, will don the number 11 shirt at Manchester City. He scored 10 goals in 75 Ligue 1 appearances over the course of three seasons.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Doku said, “This is a great day for me, both personally and professionally. City are the best team in world football, so joining them is special.” Doku is the third summer signing for manager Pep Guardiola, following midfielder Mateo Kovacic’s £25 million arrival from Chelsea and former RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol’s £77 million transfer.
Although West Ham, Tottenham, and Chelsea had shown interest in Doku, it was Manchester City that secured his services. Doku scored seven goals in 35 games during the previous season.
Having two years remaining on the five-year deal he initially signed with Rennes in October 2020, Doku’s move to Manchester City was influenced by the opportunity to work with Guardiola, the head of the Premier League champions. Doku made his international debut as a teenager shortly after joining Rennes from Anderlecht for £22.3 million.
“I am a young player with so much learning and improving to do,” Doku mentioned. “Working with Pep and his staff, and playing alongside these world-class players, will make me a much better player. I feel sure of that. Watching City last season was amazing.”
City’s Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, is confident that Doku will evolve into a “world class” attacking player under Guardiola’s tutelage. Begiristain praised Doku’s attributes, highlighting his pace and one-on-one skills. He stated, “I honestly believe working with Pep and the technical staff here at City will see him develop into a world-class attacking talent.”
