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MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2017 1 THROUGHOUT ITS PROUD HISTORY, OUR FOOTBALL CLUB HAS BUILT A DEEP, LASTING KINSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES IN MANCHESTER AND IN CITIES FURTHER AFIELD.

THE FANS SHOW IT IN THEIR UNWAVERING PASSION FOR THE CLUB; WE SHOW IT THROUGH OUR DEDICATION TO BUILDING, FOR THEM, THE SUCCESSFUL AND SUSTAINABLE FOOTBALL CLUB FOR THE FUTURE.

IT IS A RESPONSIBILITY THAT THE CLUB IS HONOURED TO SHOULDER. CONTACTS COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS SIMON HEGGIE CONTACTS FOR USA FERRAN SORIANO OFFICER HEAD OF MEDIA RELATIONS SIMON HEGGIE VICKY KLOSS E: [email protected] STEPH TOMAN DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL T: +44 161 438 7738 TOBY CRAIG TXIKI BEGIRISTAIN CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER M: +44 7791 857 452 ANDY YOUNG CONTACTS FOR FIRST TEAM MANAGER ALEX ROWEN COMMUNITY SHIELD MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE ALEX ROWEN OFFICER E: [email protected] CARLOS VICENTE HEAD OF ELITE JON STEMP M: +44 7885 268 047 DEVELOPMENT SQUAD PAUL HARSLEY CLUB AMBASSADOR CARLOS VICENTE MIKE SUMMERBEE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA HEAD OF RELATIONS MANAGER GLOBAL FOOTBALL LIFE PRESIDENT E: [email protected] BRIAN MARWOOD BERNARD HALFORD M: +44 7850 096 527

TOBY CRAIG DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS E: [email protected] T: +44 20 7874 5519 M: +44 7710 380 248

STEPHANIE TOMAN HEAD OF MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS E: [email protected] T: +44 161 438 7989 M: +44 7736 464 316

All information correct at time of writing

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 03 TOUR DESTINATION FIXTURES: OVERVIEW LOCAL TIMES

INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP DATE OPPONENT KICK-OFF TOURNAMENT VENUE Friday Borussia 7:05pm International Soldier Field 17 - 20 July Chicago, USA 20 July Dortmund (CT) Champions Cup Stadium, 21 - 25 July City, USA Chicago 26 - 29 July Miami, USA Wednesday Liverpool FC 8:05pm International MetLife 25 July (ET) Champions Cup Stadium, COMMUNITY SHIELD New York Saturday Bayern 6:05pm International Hard Rock 5 August Manchester City v Chelsea. Kick-off: 3.00pm 28 July Munich (ET) Champions Cup Stadium, Miami Sunday Chelsea 3:00pm Community Wembley 5 August Shield Stadium

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 04 Supported by Visit Abu Dhabi, the tour takes us “Our previous tour of the United States last summer across the Atlantic for the second successive year, as provided a great platform for the team to kick off CITY BACK IN THE we again prepare for the new season its current campaign and we are excited to confirm by competing in the International Champions Cup. our plans for this year,” said Manchester City’s chief operating officer, Omar Berrada. We kick-off against Dortmund in Chicago, where UNITED STATES we’ll play at the Chicago Bears’ Soldier Field Stadium “This year’s visit to the US will be extra special for the on Friday 20 July, before travelling to New York City Club as we get to combine our men’s and women’s to face Liverpool at the 82,000 capacity MetLife tours for the first time when they both play matches Stadium on Wednesday 25 July. in Miami. MANCHESTER CITY WILL RETURN TO Our final game, against Pep Guardiola’s former “Manchester City has a great following in the United THE USA THIS SUMMER WHERE THEY club, Bayern, takes place in Miami at the Hard Rock States with a growing and passionate fanbase. Stadium on Saturday 28 July, a destination which “The team is looking forward to meeting and playing WILL TAKE ON BAYERN MUNICH, takes on extra significance as we will have both our in front of thousands of our US fans for what men and women’s first team on tour in the city at the promises to be a fantastic tour.” AND LIVERPOOL same time. IN THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP. Two-time Premier League winner, Joleon Lescott, was in Miami to represent the Club as the fixtures were revealed and once we head Stateside we will host a series of fan and community events across these three destinations.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 05 FACTS AND FIGURES

EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS’ CUP: DIVISION TWO RUNNERS-UP (ORIGINAL): FA CHARITY SHIELD WINNERS: MOST GOALS IN ALL COMPETITIONS 1970 1895-96, 1950-51, 1988-89 1937-38, 1968-69, 1972-73, 2011-2012 IN A SEASON: 156 IN 2013-14 FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: DIVISION TWO PLAY OFF WINNERS: FULL MEMBERS CUP RUNNERS-UP: 1936-37, 1967-68, 2011-12, 2013-14, 2017-18 1998-99 1986 PLAYER IN A SEASON: 38 BY TOMMY JOHNSON FOOTBALL LEAGUE RUNNERS-UP: FA CUP WINNERS: FA YOUTH CUP WINNERS: IN DIVISION ONE 1928-29 1903-04, 1920-21, 1976-77, 2012-13, 2014-15 1904, 1934, 1956, 1969, 2011 1986, 2008 MOST POINTS (2 FOR A WIN): DIVISION ONE CHAMPIONS: FA CUP RUNNERS-UP: RESERVE LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: 62 IN DIVISION TWO 1946-47 2001-02 1926, 1933, 1955, 1981, 2013 1977-78, 1986-87, 1999-2000 MOST POINTS (3 FOR A WIN): DIVISION ONE RUNNERS-UP: LEAGUE CUP WINNERS: MOST GOALS IN A SEASON: 100 IN PREMIER LEAGUE 2017-18 1999-2000 1970, 1976, 2014, 2016, 2018 108 IN DIVISION TWO 1926-27 (42 GAMES) & DIVISION ONE MOST CAPPED PLAYER WHILE DIVISION TWO CHAMPIONS (ORIGINAL): LEAGUE CUP RUNNERS-UP: 2001-02 (46 GAMES) AT THE CLUB: 1898-99, 1902-03, 1909-10, 1927-28, 1974 () 1946-47, 1965-66

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 06 CLUB HISTORY

1875 - 1902 1899 City finish champions of Division record the highest Manchester derby victory 1945 - 1950 1880 St Mark’s Church forms a football team Two, becoming the first team to gain (6-1 at ) and suffer relegation in 1947 City are promoted as Champions which would later evolve into MCFC. automatic promotion. the same season. of Division Two. 1884 The first known ‘City shirt’ is created – 1904 The Blues beat Bolton Wanderers in the 1928 City promoted as Champions of 1949 The MCFC Official Supporters Club in black, with a Maltese-style cross. FA Cup final at Crystal Palace, becoming the Division Two and are the Football League’s is formed. Some say this is because of the club’s strong first Manchester side to win a major trophy. best-supported club. links with Freemasonry in the 1880s, others 1950s believe the white cross proves the link with 1914 TO 1918 WORLD WAR ONE 1930s 1955 City lose to Newcastle United in the 1955 St Mark’s was still strong. League football is suspended from 1915-1919, 1934 After losing the final last year, City beat FA Cup final at Wembley. though regional Subsidiary tournaments are Portsmouth 2-1 to lift the FA Cup. 1887 St Mark’s team evolves into Ardwick 1956 The Blues play their second successive still in place with City taking part in the AFC and moves to Hyde Road. 1934 A record provincial crowd of 84,569 FA Cup Final, this time beating division. is recorded at when the Blues 3-1 to lift the trophy. Their homecoming parade 1889 An explosion at the nearby Hyde entertain Stoke City. is the first outside transmission by Granada Road coal mine results in the death of 23 1920s Television. miners – Ardwick and Newton Heath play 1920 City’s Hyde Road ground becomes the 1937 Manchester City win the League a friendly match under floodlights in aid of first provincial football stadium to be visited by Championship for the first time. 1958 The Munich Air Disaster devastates the disaster fund. a reigning monarch. Manchester United’s first team squad and also 1939 TO 1945 WORLD WAR TWO kills several journalists including former City 1892 The second division of the English 1923 After Hyde Road is destroyed by fire, A Wartime League is set up with City playing in goalkeeper Frank Swift. Football League is created, with Ardwick the club moves to the 85,000 capacity the Northern division. Substantial damage to AFC as founder members. Maine Road. Old Trafford means United are forced to play 1960s 1894 Ardwick AFC reforms as Manchester 1926 A topsy-turvy year for the Blues – their home games at Maine Road. However City 1965 A new club badge is developed in 1965, City Football Club, in a bid to represent the managerless City become the first Manchester would never allow United usage of the home based around the central part of the City of whole city. side to play at Wembley (FA Cup runners-up), team changing room when the two teams met! Manchester coat of arms.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 07 1966 City are promoted as champions of The highest ever Maine Road derby win is impressive,48,000 capacity, City of reach the knockout stages of the Champions Division Two, under the management recorded, with City thumping neighbours Manchester Stadium. League for the first time. Manchester City, team of Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison. Manchester United 5-1. 2007 Sven Goran Eriksson replaces Stuart in partnership with the owners of 1968 The Blues defeat Newcastle United on Pearce as manager, and on 15th December Storm, acquire Australian side Melbourne 1990s the final day of the season to clinch the City establish a ‘top flight’ club record of nine Heart in January, which is later renamed League Championship for the second time. 1992 The FA Premier League is formed, with consecutive home league wins at the start of Melbourne City. City v QPR being the first ever live Monday 1969 Manchester City beat Leicester the season. 2015 City seal investment and partnership night Sky game. City 1-0 at Wembley to win the FA Cup. 2008 The become the with J-League soccer club Yokohama F 1994 City say farewell to the much-loved new owners of Manchester City. Former Wales, Marinos in a deal designed to create new 1970s Kippax Stand as legislation forces the closure , Bayern Munich and Manchester global opportunities for Japanese soccer 1970 City complete a brilliant European and of terracing at Premier League grounds. In its United star becomes the new City talent. domestic cup double by winning the European day ‘The Kippax’ was the largest standing area Manager. The club break the British transfer The City Football Academy opens with the Cup Winners Cup and the League Cup. in the country. record for the second time with the £32.5m intent of securing City’s future as one of 1972 The City badge is replaced with the red 1995/96 A dramatic season sees City appoint signing of Robinho from Real Madrid. the world’s leading football clubs by investing rose of Lancashire. three different managers; Alan Ball, Steve 2009 , former manager in the development of young talent. Coppell and Frank Clark as well as significant 1974 City lose the League Cup final to Wolves. of Inter Milan replaces Mark Hughes (CFG) announce a spells as caretaker for and in December. partnership with a consortium of high profile 1976 The Blues beat Newcastle United Phil Neal. Chinese institutional investors led by operating 2-1 at Wembley, with goals from Peter Barnes 2010 The Blues enjoy their best ever Premier 1997 City unveil a new club badge. This new company CMC (China Media Capital) Holdings. and a spectacular over-head kick from League campaign, finishing 5th and qualifying design features the Latin motto “Superbia in Dennis Tueart. for the Europa League in the process, as well as Club consults with thousands of fans and proelio” meaning ‘Pride in battle’. reaching the League Cup semi-finals. as a result, unveils a new club badge that 1979 The club break the transfer record, 1999 One of the most dramatic games ever re-introduces the round design of the signing Steve Daley for £1,450,277. Within two 2011 The long wait for a trophy ends when the played at Wembley sees City promoted after previous crests. years, the Blues became the first side to sign Blues beat Stoke 1-0 to lift the FA Cup, and they a penalty shoot-out against Gillingham in the three individual £1m+ players (Kevin Reeves qualify for the 2011/12 Champions League for 2016 Pep Guardiola replaces outgoing Division Two Play-Off. & were the other two). the first time too! manager who lifts the League Cup in his final season in charge 2000s 2012 City win the League Championship for 1980s the first time in 44 years following a thrilling of the club. 2000 City return to the Premier League 1981 City reach the 100th FA Cup final against Premier League campaign. A last-gasp 2017 City Football Group confirmed the following back-to-back promotions. A 4-1 Tottenham Hotspurs. Following a 1-1 draw Sergio Aguero against QPR secures acquisition of Uruguayan Football Club, victory over Blackburn Rovers at on the Saturday, a replay was played again the title in the most dramatic of fashions at Club Atletico Torque and a 44.3 per cent to seal promotion is followed by a celebratory at Wembley, regarded as one of the most a jubilant Etihad Stadium. stake in side Girona pitch invasion by the Blues’ enormous entertaining Cup finals ever. City were narrowly travelling support. 2013 New York City FC is announced – 2018 Pep Guardiola oversees a record-breaking defeated 3-2 following a famous Ricky Villa goal the partnership between Manchester City 2017/18 season for Manchester City which saw 2002 Future manager captains but for City fans, Steve MacKenzie’s 30-yard and the New York Yankees. the Club lift the Premier League trophy for a City as they are promoted back to the volley was the better strike. third time, become the first side to reach 100 Premiership, breaking club records for the Manuel Pellegrini, former manager of Malaga 1986 City play in the inaugural Full Members’ points and lift the Carabao Cup after a 3-0 win most goals scored and most points gained in joins Manchester City in June. Cup final at Wembley before a crowd of 68,000. over Arsenal at Wembley. a season along the way. 2014 City complete a domestic double by 1987 A club record 10-1 demolition of 2003 It’s an emotional farewell to Maine Road beating West Ham United 2-0 on the final day Huddersfield Town is recorded at as City’s home for 80 years stages its last of the season to claim their second Premier Maine Road. football match, City vs. Southampton on League title in three years, adding to the League 1989 City are promoted in dramatic style in the 11th May. The Club make the move to the Cup won after a dramatic Wembley comeback last game of the season at Bradford. against Sunderland in March. The Blues also

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 08 THE TRANSFORMATION OF MANCHESTER CITY

IN SEPTEMBER 2008, SHEIKH MANSOUR BOUGHT MANCHESTER CITY FC AND OUTLINED HIS VISION OF CREATING A SUSTAINABLE AND SUCCESSFUL FOOTBALL CLUB WITH THE FANS AT ITS HEART.

City completed the signing of Robinho on the same 93:20 Cityitis, Typical City, this could only happen to City, After a tricky start in which the Blues failed to win day the takeover was announced which pointed But of course no history of Manchester City they said, until… away from home until mid-October, City soon found sincere ambition to transform the fortunes of this is complete without the remarkable events their rhythm and set about smashing a whole host Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko headed the Blues level English institution. of 13 May 2012 - the final day of the Premier of records. in the first minute of injury time, a goal that gave City League season. Carlos Tevez, and Nigel de Jong a glimmer of hope but surely it was still too late? Pellegrini’s side reached the Champions League soon followed as the club set about propelling itself After running down an eight point gap on rivals Round of 16 for the first time in their history, before Not so, as Sergio Aguero impossibly stayed on his back into the upper reaches of the Premier League Manchester United with just six games remaining, becoming the fastest club in Premier League history feet to ride a couple of sliding tackles and with one and challenging for silverware once more. City knew that victory over QPR at the Etihad Stadium to score 100 competitive goals in all competitions. definitive lash of that exquisite right foot, ended 44 would guarantee a first ever Premier League title and Former Inter coach Roberto Mancini was appointed years of hurt for hundreds of thousands of City fans City’s goalscoring exploits became their most potent crown them English champions for the first time in manager in December 2009 and added David Silva around the globe. weapon as the Blues would go on to net an incredible 44 years. and Yaya Toure to his squad in the summer of 2010. 102 league goals – the second-highest Premier Although the Blues were unable to recapture their title It was all going so well when Pablo Zabaleta gave League tally on record. What followed were seasons that City fans of a in the following season, City did return to Wembley the Blues the lead on the stroke of half-time but certain age could never have dreamed of. for an FA Cup final against Wigan, only to fall to a That feat also presented another impressive two second-half goals from the visitors turned the last-gasp Ben Watson header which condemned the achievement, as it had been the first time a team had Landmarks came thick and fast, with City qualifying match on its head and a stadium which was having Blues to defeat. boasted three different players (Sergio Aguero, Edin for the UEFA Champions League for the first time a party soon became a home to nerves, panic and Dzeko and Yaya Toure) to score more than 15 in 2010/11 and ending the 35 year trophy drought desperation. That summer, radical changes were made as Mancini league goals. with an FA Cup win in the same year after the 1-0 was replaced by Manuel Pellegrini and five new stars What followed were 24 agonising minutes when QPR Wembley win over Stoke City. in the shape of Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Alvaro In March 2014, Pellegrini received his first English defended for their lives with 10 men packed inside Negredo, Stevan Jovetic and Martin Demichelis were trophy, having masterminded a thrilling win in the their penalty area, blocking every City shot and, as brought in. Capital One Cup final, ensuring his side claimed the game entered its 90th minute, commentators and the trophy for the first time since 1976. pundits were already concocting their own epitaphs for City’s title race.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 09 Then in May, although it had looked as though City With the crucial experience of that first campaign CFA The City Football Academy includes… had surrendered their challenge for the Premier under his belt, Pep then truly made his mark on Off the pitch, City’s new youth development League crown, the Chilean secured the domestic the English game in what was a record-breaking • A new Academy for up to 400 young and first team training centre – the City Football title with a 2-0 victory over West Ham at the Etihad 2017/18 season. players with classrooms for 200 Academy (CFA) was opened in 2014. Stadium. The triumph secured a league and cup Pep guided City to both the Premier League title as • On site accommodation for junior and double for the Blues – a feat last accomplished The CFA accommodates not only all well as the Carabao Cup with a thrilling, attacking senior players in 1970. playing squads, but also the majority of style of football that garnered worldwide praise. Manchester based staff in one connected • 16.5 football pitches, 12 of them dedicated to Two years on, City lifted the League Cup for a second In the process, City broke numerous domestic operational base. players aged from 8 to 21 time in three seasons. Manuel Pellegrini announced records, becoming the first English side to win 100 his departure from the club as former Barcelona and points in a season, most away points (50), most It is a global headquarters for those in the wider • A state of the art first team building with changing Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola was named wins (32), most away wins (16) and most goals (106). City Football family, which now includes clubs rooms, gym, refectory and injury and rehab as his replacement. New York City FC, Melbourne City FC, Yokohama centre

F. Marinos, Club Atletico Torque and Girona FC. • A 7,000 capacity stadium for youth matches Pep officially took over at Manchester City in July The project was underpinned by ambitious local 2016 and in his first season at the helm, guided the • Staff offices and a dedicated media centre recruitment that significantly up-skilled the local Club to a third-place finish in the Premier League • A bridge linking the site to the Etihad Stadium as well as to the semi-finals of the FA Cup. community and made a positive economic impact on the surrounding area. and the rest of the .

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 10 CITY FOOTBALL GROUP The Club was granted entry to the FA Women’s Super In the 2015 campaign, the Club finished second place League in April 2013 and subsequently re-launched in the FA WSL and with it secured their place in the MANCHESTER CITY as Manchester City Women’s Football Club in UEFA Women’s Champions League for the 2016 January 2014. season, which saw them go on to make the semi-final in their inaugural UWCL season. The Club mirrors and benefits from its association WOMEN’S TEAM with its male equivalent and is structured in all In 2016, the Club celebrated their most successful aspects of its operations to take advantage of season to date being crowned the FA WSL the resources of the wider organisation – from Champions for the first time in their history, lifting the community programmes, to youth development, FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup for a second time FORMERLY KNOWN AS MANCHESTER CITY scouting, coaching, sports science, digital coverage and becoming Women’s FA Cup winners in another and first team football operations. historic first. The Club’s success continued through LADIES FC, THE CLUB WAS FOUNDED IN into 2017 and in 2018 as City reached the semi-finals In their inaugural season under Head Coach Nick of the UEFA Women’s Champions League in both 1988 BY CITY IN THE COMMUNITY. IN THE Cushing, Manchester City Women’s Football Club seasons, being edged out on both occasions by made history when they clinched their first ever eventual winners Olympique Lyon. 25 YEARS SINCE THEN, THEIR AFFILIATION trophy, the FA WSL Continental Cup. WITH THE MEN’S TEAM HAS TAKEN VARIOUS FORMS, CULMINATING IN THE STATEMENT OF A FORMAL PARTNERSHIP WITH MANCHESTER CITY IN AUGUST 2012.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 12 The Club, formerly known as Melbourne Heart FC, City had a particularly strong start and finish to the was established in 2009, inspired by a vision for a season, with a mid-season boost provided by the broad-based community team, celebrating cultural emergence of now 19-year-old , who MELBOURNE diversity and sporting passion through football. has since become the youngest player at the 2018 Becoming known as Melbourne City FC in 2014, the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Arzani’s former Y-League Club is wholly owned by City Football Group (CFG) teammate, the then-17-year-old , CITY FC and plays its home games at the 30,000 capacity also made his A-League debut, making a total of 16 AAMI Park stadium in Melbourne, where the Club starts in the 17-18 season. celebrated its first ever men’s silverware, the In January 2018, Scottish international Ross FFA Cup, in November 2016. MELBOURNE CITY FOOTBALL CLUB McCormack joined City on loan from Aston Villa to Under newly appointed manager Warren Joyce, replace injured striker for a four-month COMPETES IN THE MAJOR AUSTRALIAN Melbourne City’s men’s team finished the Hyundai stretch, making a major impact in that time, with 14 DOMESTIC COMPETITION, THE HYUNDAI A-League 17-18 season with a record third-place goals in 16 games. league finish and progressed to the Semis of the A-LEAGUE AND THE FOXTEL NATIONAL post-season Finals Series. The team only narrowly missed out on a place in the Grand Final and were YOUTH LEAGUE. denied a place in the Asian Champions League in an unprecedented administrative scenario.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 13 Melbourne City FC commenced its inaugural In 2018, Melbourne City’s women’s team won their Westfield W-League campaign in October 2015, after third consecutive W-League Grand Final under the MELBOURNE CITY Football Federation Australia confirmed the Club’s leadership of former-Melbourne City player and application for entry into the women’s domestic current-Head Coach , and Player- competition in May 2015. Manager and Wales international, Jess Fishlock. England international Jodie Taylor joined Melbourne In their inaugural season, the team had a 100 per cent WOMEN’S FC City from Arsenal Women, making six appearances. record, winning 12 consecutive league matches and clinching the Premier’s Plate and securing a historic double, winning the 2016 Grand Final. MELBOURNE CITY WOMEN’S FC WAS In 2017, they made history again when they won the FOUNDED IN 2015 AND COMPETES IN Grand Final for a second consecutive year, becoming THE W-LEAGUE, THE TOP DIVISION OF the first team in the history to achieve that feat. WOMEN’S FOOTBALL IN AUSTRALIA.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 14 NYCFC came into existence as Major League Following an eighth place finish in the Eastern Soccer’s 20th franchise on 21 May 2013 and debuted Conference during 2015’s inaugural campaign, NEW YORK against Orlando City SC on 8 March 8 2015. NYCFC bounced back to secure their first ever MLS Playoff appearance in just their second season of Majority owned by City Football Group, New York existence, finishing 2016 with more goals than any City FC plays its home games at the iconic Yankee other team, resulting in a second place finish in the Stadium, which is also home to minority owner, CITY FC Eastern Conference. Villa also showed his dominance the New York Yankees. in the 2016 MLS campaign, earning the Landon Sporting Director Claudio Reyna, the former Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player, scoring a Manchester City FC and United States international club-high 23 goals in the season. NEW YORK CITY FC IS THE FIRST AND player, has formed a roster that boasts global In 2017, the Club continued their excellent form superstars, MLS and international veterans, as well ONLY MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER TEAM TO finishing in second place in the Eastern Conference as some of the United States’ rising stars. Domènec once again. Midway through 2018, NYCFC are in PLAY IN THE FIVE BOROUGHS OF NEW Torrent, the former Manchester City, Bayern Munich good position in the league and one of the favorites and FC Barcelona assistant under Pep Guardiola for to hoist the MLS Cup. YORK CITY. SINCE NYCFC’S INCARNATION the past 11 years, was appointed in June 2018 as IN 2015, THE CLUB HAS CEMENTED ITS the Club’s third head coach. STATUS AS A CORNERSTONE IN THE Spain’s all-time record goal scorer, David Villa, became NYCFC’s first-ever signing and captain on LANDSCAPE OF ONE OF THE WORLD’S June 2, 2014. This was followed by Chelsea legend MOST COMPETITIVE AND PROUDEST and a year later, in the midst of the club’s inaugural season. FIFA World Cup winning SPORTING CITIES. Andrea Pirlo became the third Designated Player in club history.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 15 YOKOHAMA F. MARINOS

IN MAY 2014 CITY FOOTBALL GROUP ANNOUNCED AN INVESTMENT AND PARTNERSHIP WHICH SAW THE GROUP BECOME A MINORITY SHAREHOLDER OF THE YOKOHAMA F. MARINOS (YF MARINOS).

The deal represented the first significant foreign “We’re thrilled to be able to play a role in investing and In forming this partnership, YF Marinos gained investment in a J-League soccer club and was building on the on-going success of YF Marinos,” unrivalled access to CFG’s training methods, designed to create new global opportunities for the said Ferran Soriano, CEO, City Football Group. medical care, sport science, team management and YF Marinos and Japanese soccer talent. “We are proud to offer a collaborative and integrated coaching know-how, providing a motivational draw for young Japanese players and placing the club in The deal also sees CFG collaborate with YF Marinos, approach to the football, marketing, media and pole position to support the national team efforts of exposing them to a world-class soccer infrastructure commercial development of all the clubs in the creating a world-class team for the future. and network not seen before in the J-League but that City family. has achieved popular acclaim and real success with “At the same time, we are proud that each of our As a global brand, Nissan stands for innovation to teams like Manchester City. clubs is firmly rooted and invested in its local excite their consumer, a brand essence shared by City Football Group. With this shared purpose the two “The YF Marinos is an excellent soccer club with community as well as connected and engaged with partners will explore further global joint opportunities a rich history which has grown hand in hand with its supporter base. We are very much looking forward in the coming months. Nissan. Together we see opportunities that CFG’s to starting our collaboration.” global soccer infrastructure will bring to the club and The globally innovative partnership between business the excitement it will bring to the fans,” said Carlos and sport provides the four times Asia champions, Ghosn, Nissan President and CEO. “This partnership and three times J-league champions, in-depth will contribute to the growth of the club, the growth knowledge and experience across the CFG global of our shared hometown, Yokohama, as well as network which consists of Manchester City’s senior, Yokosuka and Japanese soccer.” youth and women’s teams, Melbourne City and New York City Football Club.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 16 CLUB ATLETICO TORQUE

CA TORQUE IS A URUGUAYAN FOOTBALL CLUB FOUNDED IN DECEMBER 2007.

The club competes within the Uruguayan Football CA Torque is currently managed by Pablo Marini, Federation and is based in Montevideo, the capital who is accompanied on the coaching staff by city of Uruguay. Acquired by City Football Group in Federico Arias as an assistant coach and Adrian December 2016, Torque joined Manchester City, Rocamora and Tomas Marini as the fitness coaches. New York City, Melbourne City and Yokohama On the 3rd of February 2018, CA Torque made F-Marinos as part of the group and were closely its debut in the First Division against Nacional followed by the most recent acquisition, Girona FC. Montevideo in the legendary Centenario Stadium in the capital of Uruguay. In the 2017 season, CA Torque won the Second Division championship and achieved historic promotion to the First Division, becoming the youngest club in the history of the Uruguayan Federation to be promoted to the top-tier.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 17 Established in 1930, Girona have a rich history in Girona made an impressive impact in La Liga, Spanish football. In May 2017, Girona won promotion finishing 10th in their first season and only GIRONA FC to La Liga for the first time in its history, having narrowly missing out on a Europa League place. reached the play-offs three times in the previous Striker Cristhian Stuani also made the La Liga four seasons. top goalscorers list, coming fifth after netting 21 goals overall. IN AUGUST 2017, GIRONA FC Girona recently appointed Eusebio Sacristán as their manager. Sacristán enjoyed a stellar playing career in The club will now look to build on this progress BECAME THE NEWEST ADDITION Spain, representing Real Valladolid, Atletico Madrid, and continue their development alongside TO CITY FOOTBALL GROUP. Barcelona and Celta de Vigo. He also earned 15 caps Spain’s top teams. with the Spanish national team. He joined Girona from fellow La Liga side Real Sociedad.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 18 MANAGEMENT JOSEP ‘PEP’ GUARDIOLA CARLES MANAGER PLANCHART

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 18 JANUARY 1971 17 DECEMBER 1965 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: SANTPEDOR, BARCELONA, SPAIN SPAIN JOINED CITY: JOINED CITY: JULY 2016 JULY 2016

Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola joined City as one of the most Performance Analyst Carles Planchart has worked with successful coaches of the modern era, and with Pep since he moved into management in 2007. a reputation for managing sides that play with an entertaining, attacking brand of football. At Bayern Munich and Barcelona, Carles analysed the collective, individual, strategic and tactical aspects of A five-time La Liga-winning midfielder with Barcelona the team’s play after which Pep would often work and Spain international, Pep moved effortlessly into one-on-one with a player to help enhance particular coaching and became the Spanish club’s head coach areas of their game. in 2008. Barca won the Spanish title three years in a row and the Champions League twice in Pep’s time at Like all the Club’s backroom room team, Carles is the Nou Camp, when he worked with global superstars renowned for his attention to detail and his impact including Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, has been felt across the first team. and Yaya Toure. He left Barca in 2012, and after deciding to take time away from the game he took over at Bayern Munich. He further enhanced his reputation while in Germany, winning the three times before agreeing to join Manchester City for the start of the 2016-17 season.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 20 RODOLFO MIKEL BORRELL ARTETA

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 31 JANUARY 1971 26 MARCH 1982 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: BARCELONA, SAN SEBASTIÁN, SPAIN SPAIN JOINED CITY: JOINED CITY: JULY 2016 JULY 2016

Rodolfo Borrell has established a glowing reputation for Mikel joined Pep’s backroom team in 2016. nurturing some of football’s most precocious talents. Mikel brought a wealth of elite playing experience with It was Borrell who was Lionel Messi’s first coach at him when he moved. He started his football career with Barcelona and he also helped the development of Barcelona’s junior sides before spending time on loan Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta during his time at with Paris St Germain and eventually joining Glasgow the Camp Nou. Rangers. He was Technical Director and Head of Coaching for He stayed at Ibrox for two years before returning to Spain Liverpool FC’s Academy after Rafa Benitez brought with Real Sociedad, but after just one season, headed him to England in 2009 and helped bring through the back to the UK, this time with Everton. likes of , before leaving in 2014. He stayed at Goodison Park for seven years, playing Rodolfo then joined City where he initially worked as more than 200 games for the Toffees, leaving for Arsenal the Academy Technical Director, looking after the youth in 2011. teams from U21s down to U9s before then joining Pep’s backroom team where he has proved to be a Arteta made close to 150 starts for Arsene Wenger’s key addition to the coaching team. side, before then moving to City to launch his coaching career where he has made a big impact.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 21 LORENZO BUENAVENTURA

DATE OF BIRTH: 9 NOVEMBER 1962 PLACE OF BIRTH: SEVILLE, SPAIN JOINED CITY: JULY 2016

Fitness Coach Lorenzo Buenaventura has been working with Pep since 2008 at Barcelona. After helping shape Barcelona and Bayern into two of Europe’s most intensive sides, Lorenzo’s impact has also been evident since his move to Manchester. Lorenzo’s attention to detail has helped City build up their stamina and pace which is a trademark of every team Pep has managed, as well as assisting with the development of an aggressive press that requires optimum fitness levels. Lorenzo is involved in planning specific training sessions and individual programmes and has also established an unrivalled reputation for helping injured players rehabilitate.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 22 THE PLAYERS

GOALKEEPERS TS TS EDERSON MORAES DANILO LEROY SANE TS DOUGLAS LUIZ TS CLAUDIO BRAVO TS JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE DAVID SILVA JACK HARRISON TS TS TYREKE WILSON TS FERNANDINHO TS CAMERON HUMPHREYS TS TS – New York & Miami STRIKERS ARIJANET MURIC TS NATHANAEL OGBETA TS TS SERGIO AGUERO JASON DENAYER TS TS DEFENDERS ELIAQUIM MANGALA OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO TS TS VINCENT KOMPANY ERIC GARCIA TS BRAHIM DIAZ TS RABBI MATONDO TS TOM DELE-BASHIRU TS TS NICOLAS OTAMENDI BENJAMIN GARRE TS NABIL TOUAIZI TS TS RAHEEM STERLING IKER POZO TS BERSANT CELINA TS – Miami ILKAY GUNDOGAN FELIX NMECHA THIERRY AMBROSE IAN POVEDA

TS = TRAVELLING SQUAD Squad list correct at time of going to press.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 23 GOALKEEPERS EDERSON CLAUDIO MORAES BRAVO

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 17 AUGUST 1993 13 APRIL 1983 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: SÃO PAULO, VILUCO, BRAZIL CHILE

The Brazilian goalkeeper, who impressed for the Possessing excellent reflexes and distribution, the Claudio Bravo arrived at City in August 2016. The Chilean He moved to Barcelona in 2014 and has won eight Portuguese champions throughout the 2016/17 left-footed Ederson is also quick to spot any potential goalkeeper joined the Blues from Barcelona after signing different title in just two years with the Catalans, playing campaign, joined City on 1 July 2017. danger, rushing out to clear his lines and snuff out any a four-year-deal. 75 games and being named in the 2014/15 La Liga Team potential danger. of the Season. Born Ederson Santana de Moraes, he began his career Bravo brings with him a wealth of experience including as a youth with São Paulo FC, spending two years before His reputation for point-blank saves quickly made him back-to-back La Liga titles with Barca and successive He was also voted Copa America’s best goalkeeper in joining second tier Portuguese outfit Ribeirão in 2011. a popular figure among the Benfica supporters. Copa America triumphs with Chile with whom the 33 2015 and 2016 as well as earning a place in the Team of year-old has won 106 caps and also the captain. the Tournament each time. Claudio made his City debut The promising teenager played 30 games before signing The Brazilian goalkeeper enjoyed a magnificent first in the September 2016 Manchester derby. side Rio Ave after just a season. season with City impressing everyone with his agility, He won his 100th international in the Copa America bravery and all-round presence in goal. His pin-point Centenario as Chile beat Argentina in the final on Claudio captained Chile to the 2017 Confederations Cup He would stay with Rio Ave for three seasons, playing distribution caught the eye as did his monstrous boot penalties and is the first Chilean to win a century of caps final against Germany. 63 games in all competitions and catching the notice of and Ederson ended the campaign not only a title - he has also played more times for his country than any many of Portugal’s bigger clubs including Benfica who winner but also part of Brazil’s World Cup squad. other Chile player. The Chilean goalkeeper emerged as a key figure as City bought the youngster in 2015. lifted the 2018 Carabao Cup. He was the hero in two Born in Viluco, Chile, Bravo started his career with He played several games for Benfica B and was initially penalty shoot-out victories as the Club overcame Wolves Colo-Colo. His father noticed Claudio’s talent and understudy to Brazil’s national team first choice keeper and Leicester City on spot-kicks en route to reaching the elected to drive his son to the training ground of Julio Cesar before becoming Benfica’s first choice final where City overcame Arsenal 3-0 at Wembley. Colo-Colo, where he would sign for the academy throughout the 2016/17 campaign as the Eagles secured of Chile’s most successful club. a league and cup double. Bravo initially grabbed Colo-Colo’s attention as a striker but after short stints in midfield and defensive roles, he asked to be played in goal for the club’s ‘Cadete’ team and that is where he would stay, flourishing in his new position.He would go on to make 123 appearances for Colo-Colo between 2002 and 2006 before joining Real Sociedad on the recommendation of Xabier Mancisidor who is now City’s goalkeeping coach.Bravo remained for with The Royals for eight years, clocking up 237 starts – plus one goal against Gimnastic in 2010.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 25 JOE DANIEL HART GRIMSHAW

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 19 APRIL 1987 16 JANUARY 1998 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: SHREWSBURY, MANCHESTER, ENGLAND ENGLAND

Joe moved to City from his home town club Shrewsbury Around this time his season-long loan to promoted Life-long City fan Daniel Grimshaw has been training Town in May 2006. Birmingham City was also confirmed. A resounding with the club since he was five years old, and developing success at St Andrews, he was named in the PFA through the Academy age groups from the age of eight. His professional career with the Shrews began in the Team of the Year and included in ’s 2003-04 season, when he played twice in the Football The Manchester-born goalkeeper has excellent England squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Conference, before he became their first-choice keeper distribution and handling, and has impressed on foreign in the 2005-06 campaign. He did not play during that ill-fated campaign, but he shores in a City shirt, including tournaments in Singapore impressed Roberto Mancini enough in pre-season to get and Qatar. He was already an England Under 19 ‘keeper when the nod as City’s first-choice goalkeeper for the start of he joined the Blues and made his first team debut on His talent and drive convinced Academy staff he was 2010-11, helping the Blues end a trophy drought of 35 October 14, 2006 against Sheffield United, keeping worthy of a two-year scholarship with City during which years by claiming the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Stoke. a clean sheet in a goalless draw. he competed for the number one role in the U18s with From the first match of that season, when Joe was Kjetil Haug. Joe was loaned out to Tranmere Rovers at the start of awarded man of the match in the 0-0 draw with January 2007 and was almost immediately selected for Grimshaw helped City to the U18 Premier League title Tottenham, he cemented his reputation as one of England’s Under 21s, making a second half appearance and FA Youth Cup final in 2015/16. the most assured goalkeepers in Europe. against Spain in a 2-2 draw. He was City’s elected UEFA Youth League goalkeeper He also became England’s undisputed no.1, and earned Further experience was gained on loan at Blackpool, in 2016 /17. the first of four Golden Gloves awards for the Premier and when he returned to City he worked hard to become League in City’s title-winning 2011-12 campaign. Sven-Goran Eriksson’s first-choice stopper. The Manchester-born goalkeeper recently signed a Joe went on to win a second Premier League and two new three-year contract with the club and after being The 31-year-old won his first senior England cap in June Capital One Cups as well as playing at the World Cup in promoted to the first-team squad last season will be 2008 against Trinidad and Tobago. He then started the 2014 and the European Championships two years later. looking to kick on again in 2018/19 after making 15 following season as City’s number one but was replaced appearances for the EDS and Under-19s in 2017/18. by in January 2009. Joe joined Torino on a season-long loan on August 31, 2016 and spent the 2017/18 campaign on loan with Having topped 50 first team appearances for City, Joe West Ham United. spent the summer of 2009 playing for England’s Under 21s in the European Championships in Sweden. The dramatic penalty shoot-out in the semi-final saw Joe save a couple, and score one - but a yellow card, his second of the tournament, meant that he had to sit out the final.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 26 ARIJANET MURIC

DATE OF BIRTH: 7 NOVEMBER 1998 PLACE OF BIRTH: ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

Swiss youth international Arijanet Muric arrived at the Club in March 2015 from Grasshopper Club Zurich. Standing at 6’6, Aro allies an imposing frame with excellent reflexes to make him a commanding shot- stopper and comfortable with the ball at his feet, he is certainly a modern goalkeeper. He played regularly for the U18s during the 2016/17 season, making 18 league appearances as the young Blues swept all before them to finish unbeaten as U18 Premier League North champions. He also had the honour of being No.1 for the FA Youth Cup campaign, playing all seven games and keeping two clean sheets as City finished runners-up for a third consecutive year.

Aro signed a new three-year contract in July 2017 and was part of the first team squad that toured the United States last summer.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 27 DEFENDERS VINCENT JOHN KOMPANY STONES

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 10 APRIL 1986 28 MAY 1994 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: UCCLE, BARNSLEY, BELGIUM ENGLAND

Captain, leader, defensive rock – Vincent Kompany is Handed the club captaincy by Roberto Mancini, John Stones joined City from Everton on 9 August 2016. A maturity beyond his years was evident in these first one of the most decorated skippers in the club’s history. Vincent continued in the role following the arrival of steps up the professional ladder, prompting Everton to The England international defender penned a six-year Manuel Pellegrini in 2013, and led City to the Premier snap him up on a five-and-a-half-year deal on the final Strong in the air, comfortable on the ball, accurate in deal which will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until at League the following year. day of the 2013 January transfer window. the tackle and always ready to nip in and pinch the ball least 2022. Stones became City’s eighth signing of the off a striker’s toes, the Belgian was a bargain buy when He showed his worth as the man for the big occasion 2016 summer transfer window, following in the footsteps Stones didn’t make his senior debut for the Toffees bought from Hamburg at just £6million in 2008. with impressive displays against Europe’s elite in the of Ilkay Gundogan, Nolito, Aleksandar Zinchenko, Aaron until the following season when, on 28 August 2013, he Champions League, scored the second goal against Mooy, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Marlos Moreno. appeared in the League Cup win over Stevenage and A natural leader, he was handed the armband in 2011 West Ham in the victory that clinched the title and his Premier League bow followed a month later as a late and has since captained the side to three Premier The 22-year old, widely regarded as one of the world’s lifted the Capital One Cup in 2014 and 2016. substitute in their 1-0 victory against Chelsea. League titles and three Capital One Cup triumphs. most promising centre backs, spent more than three Injuries have kept Vincent away for frustrating spells in years at Everton where he built a reputation as a That was one of 26 games he took part in during the Multi-lingual and multi-talented, Kompany began recent seasons, but each time he has fought back to ball-playing, 21st century defender, equally adept at 2013/14 season and he made two more than that in his career with Anderlecht, a series of composed reclaim his place at the heart of the side. neutralising opposition attacks as launching the first key 2014/15, scoring his first Premier League goal against performances in the Belgian Premier League and pass out of the defensive third. Manchester United in April 2015 towards the end of a Champions League attracting interest from across Also a key part of Belgium’s talented national team, he season in which he earned a nomination for Europe’s the continent. featured at the 2014 World Cup but injury kept him out Stones represented England at U19, U20 and U21 level “” award – a title that eventually went to his of the squad for Euro 2016 – although the BBC were before making his senior international debut on 30 May Two years at Hamburg was enough to convince Mark new teammate, Raheem Sterling. quick to call upon his services as an articulate and 2014 in a 3-0 friendly victory over Peru at Wembley. Hughes to bring Vincent to City in August 2008, one of perceptive pundit. After a fine first season with the club, John began the the Welshman’s most astute buys in his time at the Club. He made his competitive debut for the Three Lions in the 2017/18 campaign in superb fashion before his progress The City skipper was back at his commanding best in Euro 2016 qualifying opener against Switzerland where Initially a defensive midfielder, Vincent shifted back was interrupted by a hamstring injury but he returned to the 2017/18 campaign, leading the Club to Carabao Cup ’s side got off to the perfect start with a 2-0 into central defence with aplomb and became the both claim his place in England’s World Cup finals squad glory against Arsenal at Wembley before then becoming away win and John was included in the squad for the figure around which successive Blues backlines have and claim his first silverware with City. City’s most successful-ever captain, lifting the Premier finals this summer. been built. League trophy for a third time. Kompany then jetted out Rising up from the youth ranks at his hometown club Having helped win the FA Cup in 2011, he was a key to Russia as part of Belgium’s World Cup squad. Barnsley, Stones went on to make his professional figure in the title triumph of 2012, bagging the winning debut for the Tykes against Reading on 17 March 2011, goal in a Manchester derby victory that proved vital in going on to make 28 appearances in total for the South the final dramatic outcome. Yorkshire side.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 29 NICOLAS AYMERIC OTAMENDI LAPORTE

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 12 FEBRUARY 1988 27 MAY 1994 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: BUENOS AIRES, AGEN, ARGENTINA FRANCE

A tough Argentine international teammate of Sergio 2011-12 and made it a hat-trick of league titles the The French centre back joined City from Impressed by his skill and potential, Bilbao quickly Aguero, Martin Demichelis and Pablo Zabaleta, Nicolas following season. in January 2018, becoming Pep Guardiola’s sixth signing secured his services and he went on to become a Otamendi joined City from Valencia in the 2015-16 of the 2017/18 season, penning a deal until 2023. He first-team regular. Aymeric played 222 times for Bilbao, Nicolas was becoming a runaway success, playing week summer transfer window. made his debut in a 3-0 win over West Brom and quickly scoring 10 goals during his six-season stint in, week out for the top club in Portugal but in February settled in with a series of calm, measured displays to Nicolas was born in El Talar, a small neighbourhood in 2014 he agreed a move across the border to Valencia. In the 2015/16 campaign, he helped Bilbao to Supercopa help City secure their third Premier League crown. the Argentine capital city Buenos Aires. He shared his de Espana glory – their first piece of major silverware for Otamendi was immediately loaned out upon arrival at time between boxing and football while growing up, The 24-year-old is regarded as one of the most 31 years. the Mestalla, spending the summer at Atletico Mineiro building up his strength in a local gym with his cousin. promising young defenders in Europe, Laporte is a left- in Brazil. Laporte has represented France 41 times at Under-17, footed defender, recognised for his calmness, strength He joined Velez Sarsfield, one of Argentina’s most Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 levels and was captain He returned to help Los Che qualify for the Champions and passing ability. He began his senior career with famous and successful clubs, as a youngster and made of the side that reached the European Championships League for the first time in four years. He was the only Bilbao in 2012, after representing their B side and his debut for the first team in 2008 aged 20. five years ago though he is yet to win a senior cap. Valencia player named in the La Liga Team of the Year gaining first-team experience with CD Basconia. Nicolas was called up by Argentine national team for the 2014-15 season, before making his move to City. Standing at six feet, three inches, Aymeric began his coach Diego Maradona for a friendly with Panama in His Blues debut came as a substitute at home to senior career with Basconia and joined Bilbao in 2012, 2009. At the time of his selection he had only played 11 Juventus, but he was soon featuring regularly in the making his debut at 18-years-old against Celta Vigo. professional games and started the match on 20 May, starting line-up. He was named in the 2013/14 La Liga Team of the Year, helping his side to a 3–1 win. aged only 20. His first goal for the Club came courtesy of a powerful Still only 21, Nicolas was voted into El Pais’ South header against Norwich, and he won silverware in his American Team of the Year for 2009, with the paper first season at City in the shape of the Capital One describing him as “one of the revelations of the year”. Cup. On the international front, Nicolas was part of the Despite his young age, he was a fixture in the first-team Argentina side that were losing finalists in the 2016 Copa and made waves across the continent for both club America. and country.

By 2010, he had made 10 appearances for Argentina, The Argentine central defender enjoyed his finest season including a starring role at the World Cup in South Africa, yet at the Club in 2017/18 and his impact was recognised and he was snapped up by Porto in August of that year. by his fellow professionals with Nicolas being named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. His Porto won the Portuguese league, domestic cup and memorable campaign saw yet more success with his the Europa League, where they beat Portuguese rivals selection as part of Argentina’s World Cup squad. Braga, in his first season. They retained the league in

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 30 BENJAMIN KYLE MENDY WALKER

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 17 JULY 1994 28 MAY 1990 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: LONGJUMEAU, SHEFFIELD, FRANCE ENGLAND

Benjamin Mendy joined the Club from AS Monaco in Mendy’s performances were recognised in the end-of- Kyle Walker joined City from Tottenham on a five-year In 2012, he was rewarded for a fine season by picking up July 2017. season awards in France, with the left-back named in deal in July 2017. the PFA Young Player of the Year award and has twice the Team of the Year, and he was widely been named in the PFA Team of the Year. The 23-year-old France international signed a five-year He opted to take the number two shirt previously worn regarded as being one of the best attacking full-backs deal with the Club and wears the number 22 shirt. by Bacary Sagna and became City’s third signing of the He made 228 appearances for Tottenham in all in the Champions League. 2017 close season. competitions, scoring four goals, and in the 2016/17 Mendy began his career with Le Havre, where he played He made his senior international debut in March 2017 season helped them to second in the table, their highest more than 50 league games, before joining Marseille Walker began his career at Sheffield United, where he and to date has won seven caps for the national side. league finish in the Premier League era in 2013. spent a short period on loan at Northampton before Mendy was also part of France’s World Cup finals returning to Bramall Lane and impressing in the final few The Yorkshire-born defender produced a magnificent He impressed at the Stade Velodrome, making 101 squad in Russia. games of the season 2008-09 season as the Blades first season with City following his move from Tottenham appearances in three seasons and establishing a Benjamin made an immediate impact at City becoming made the Championship playoffs. with his energy, commitment and ability to add an extra reputation as one of the best full-backs in the French a huge favourite with the Club’s supporters before he dimension to City’s attack all stand-out features of the top flight. The 27-year-old signed for Tottenham that summer and suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury in Club’s title success. He also rounded off the season on was immediately loaned back to Sheffield United as part Last summer, he joined Monaco on a five-year deal late September. World Cup finals duty in Russia with England. of the deal to ensure his progress continued. and his arrival saw a significant improvement in results However, he fought back to return to action before the for ’s side. But after impressing in the opening months of the end of the season and qualified for a Premier League 2009/10 season, he was recalled to Spurs and made two Mendy’s energy down the left was key to Monaco’s winners’ title medal. senior appearances. attacking style as they won the Ligue 1 title and made it to the semi-finals of both the Champions League and the Further loan moves followed, to QPR and Aston Villa, in Coupe de France, scoring 159 goals in all competitions. a bid to secure further first-team experience but in 2011 he forced his way into the Spurs side and became their Their European run saw them take some notable scalps, first-choice right-back. beating Tottenham twice in the group stage, before knocking City and Borussia Dortmund out of the competition.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 31 DANILO TOSIN ADARABIOYO

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 15 JULY 1991 24 SEPTEMBER 1997 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: BICAS, MANCHESTER, BRAZIL ENGLAND

Danilo joined City from Real Madrid. In total, he played 55 times for Los Blancos, winning one An U18s regular since making his debut at the tender Tosin made his senior debut in the FA Cup 5th round La Liga title, two Champions Leagues, a UEFA Super age of 14, England youth international Tosin Adarabioyo tie with Chelsea, earning man-of-the-match honours Danilo’s senior career began at America Mineiro where Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup. signed his first professional contract with City upon despite City losing 5-1. he played a key role in their promotion from Serie C, turning 17 in September 2014. before signing for Santos in 2010 where he spent two He played in both legs of the final - After being promoted to Simon Davies’s EDS set-up successful seasons. the first in central-midfield and the second at right-back A strong and confident centre-back, the 18-year-old full-time in 2015/16, he led City to the FA Youth Cup – and scored the winning goal in the 2-1 win over Mancunian celebrated penning his deal with a brace final and struck up good partnerships with Cameron Alongside Neymar and Alex Sandro, he was a revelation, Penarol that saw them lift the most coveted trophy in away to Liverpool the following week. Humphreys and Charlie Oliver. He also earned a first and in 2011 he helped them win the Brazilian title South American football. call up to the England u19s in 2015. Excellent on the ball, the defender possesses good and the Copa Libertadores, playing 37 matches in all Having joined City from Real Madrid on a five-year positional awareness and leadership skills – recognised His excellent 2015/16 was rewarded with a place on the competitions. contract in the summer of 2017, Danilo’s defensive by boss Jason Wilcox, who appointed him u18 skipper first team tour of Munich and China, where he began After playing in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, he moved acumen and versatility saw him play an important role as a first year scholar at the start of the 2014/15 working closely with new manager Pep Guardiola who to Europe, signing for Porto, and within two years had both in City’s march to title success and Carabao Cup campaign. later promoted the young defender to the senior squad. won back-to-back Primeira Liga titles, with his energy triumph. He ended the season as part of Brazil’s World After making 17 appearances as part of the u18 squad In June 2017 Tosin penned a new long-term contract with and industry from full-back making him one of the most Cup squad. that clinched the Premier League North Division title in the Club and he will be looking to make further first team sought-after players in the Portuguese top flight. 2013/14, Tosin wore the captain’s armband 13 times for inroads over the course of the 2018/19 campaign. He soon began attracting the attention of Europe’s Jason Wilcox’s squad during his first year as a scholar, biggest Clubs, and in the summer of 2015 he moved to while also turning out seven times for the EDS against Real Madrid for £26m (approx), signing a six-year deal. players up to four years his senior. An ever-present in last term’s UEFA Youth League campaign, Tosin was a key part of an impressive back- four that conceded just four goals to help City to a 100% record in the group stages.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 32 JASON ELIAQUIM DENAYER MANGALA

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 28 JUNE 1995 13 FEBRUARY 1991 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: JETTE, COLOMBES, BELGIUM FRANCE

Since joining City, Belgian centre-half Jason Denayer has Hoops supporters were sad to see him go after he Eliaquim Mangala joined City in August 2014 having The 27-year-old’s performances also earned him a proved himself to be a classy operator on the ball and an claimed the SPL Young Player of the Year award, as made a name for himself as one of Europe’s most call-up to the France national squad, making his debut excellent reader of the game at the heart of the back four. well as the club’s own Young Player of the Year award promising young defenders. against Uruguay in May 2013. A year later he was in and helped the Glasgow giants win the Scottish league Brazil for the 2014 World Cup but did not feature in his He joined the Club in 2013 having come through the JMG Quick and powerful, blessed with good positional title and the League Cup. country’s five outings. Academy in his native Belgium, where he developed his sense and the ability to play the ball out from deep, the skills playing barefoot while adapting to having live away His impact in Scotland had been noticed back home, Frenchman also poses a threat from set-pieces and is City made their move for Eliaquim in August 2014, from his family. and Jason made his first senior international start for admired for his tackling. and he enjoyed an excellent debut against Chelsea Belgium against France on 7 June 2015, just three a month later while partnering with Vincent Kompany Once at City, Jason, 23, struck up an excellent The Parisian arrived at Etihad Stadium with an impressive months after his debut off the bench in the Euro 2016 in central defence. partnership with Shay Facey in defence for the Elite CV, having enjoyed successful stints with Standard Liege qualifier against Israel. Development Squad side throughout the 2013-14 and Porto before making the move to Manchester. He racked up more than 60 appearances during his first season as the Blues went deep in four competitions Jason impressed on loan again in 2015-16, this time two seasons at City, standing out in the home win over He made his debut for Liege aged just 17 and helped the at home and abroad. with Turkish outfit Galatasaray, where he occasionally Paris St-Germain in April 2016 that secured a semi-final Belgian club to a domestic league and cup double in his featured at right-back. It was no surprise that he was spot in the Champions League. He scored his first goal for the club in the 6-0 UEFA first season. He then gained valuable early experience of included in Belgium’s much-fancied squad for Euro Youth League win over Bayern Munich at the start of the Champions League, scoring against Arsenal in Eliaquim spent the 2016/17 campaign on loan with 2016, though Denayer spent the 2016/17 season on October, and continued to shine throughout the season, a 2009 defeat to the Gunners. Valencia and though he played for half of the 2017/18 loan with Sunderland. earning himself opportunities to train with the first-team. season with City, he joined Everton on loan in January Eliaquim moved to Porto in 2011, and in three years there In August 2017 he returned to Galatasaray for another 2018 but sustained an injury that ended his season By now a Belgian youth international, Jason was he helped the club to consecutive Primeira League titles season-long loan, helping the Turkish club to clinch shortly after arriving on Merseyside. nominated for the EDS Player of the Year award after a as well as continuing to develop thanks to exposure to the league title, making 22 league appearances. fantastic 2013-14 campaign before joining Celtic on a the Champions League. season-long loan on 12 August 2014. Jason made an immediate impact, scoring on debut and going on to make 44 appearances in all competitions.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 33 TYREKE JOEL WILSON LATIBEAUDIERE

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 2 DECEMBER 1999 6 JANUARY 2000 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: DUBLIN, DONCASTER, IRELAND ENGLAND

Tyreke made the step up to City’s U18s in the 2016/17 Another youngster who is making waves in the Academy He’s been a regular for Simon Davies’ EDS squad in season after penning a two-year scholarship. at City, Joel fits the role of the modern centre back both the Premier League 2 and UEFA Youth League in perfectly: powerful, elegant and confident on the ball. 2017/18 and scored a powerful header in the 3-1 win A modern full back, he utilises his pace excellently to over Shakhtar Donetsk before departing for the FIFA get up and down the pitch to support City attacks. Stepping up to the U18s for the 2016/17 campaign, U17 World Cup in India. Part of the Young Lions squad he captained Lee Carsley’s side as they won the U18 In his debut campaign he made 16 appearances and that made the final, Latibeaudiere had the honour of Premier League North Division and reached the FA made a further eight appearances in the Premier captaining the team to glory. Youth Cup final. League 2 for the Elite Development Squad in 2017/18. Latibeaudiere was a mainstay of the team, only missing games when on England duty, which included representing the Young Lions at the U17 European Championships. During 2017/18 pre-season Joel travelled to the United States as part of the first team’s participation in the International Champions Cup and made the substitutes’ bench for the game against Spurs in Nashville.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 34 CAMERON NATHANAEL HUMPHREYS OGBETA

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 22 AUGUST 1998 18 APRIL 2001 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: MANCHESTER, SALFORD, ENGLAND ENGLAND

Comfortable playing up the age groups, 19-year-old Hailing from Salford, Nathanael is a defender who first central defender Cameron made his U18s debut while signed for the Blues as a 10-year-old. An England U16 still eligible for the U16s age group and was involved international, he represented the Young Lions in the with the U21s while on pre-season tour in Croatia as Montaigu Tournament in April 2017. a first-year scholar. Nathanael made his debut for the U18s last season, Cameron made his senior debut for the Club in 2016, featuring at the heart of defence in the 4-2 win against coming on as a substitute in an FA Cup win at Aston Villa. Reading. His impressive form at club level has long since been Also comfortable in midfield, Nathanael describes recognised by the England youth set-up - he was part of himself as ‘confident and composed’ on the ball the U17 squad at the 2013 Nordic Tournament and has and likes to exploit space with driving runs when the been capped up to Under-19 level. opportunity arises. Despite suffering a number of frustrating injuries, Nathanael continued his development during the 2017/18 season having been named captain at the start of the campaign, going on to make 10 appearances for the Under-18s, scoring once.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 35 ERIC GARCIA

DATE OF BIRTH: 9 JANUARY 2001 PLACE OF BIRTH: BARCELONA, SPAIN

The 17-year-old moved to Manchester from Barcelona in the summer of 2017 and enjoyed a superb first season at the Club. The talented defender not only captained the U18s, making 19 appearances and scoring four goals, he also played for the EDS and made his mark in the UEFA Youth League, where he tackled his former Barcelona team-mates in the semi-final. Spanish Under-17 international Eric is now looking to build on that excellent start to his City career.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 36 MIDFIELDERS RAHEEM ILKAY STERLING GUNDOGAN

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 8 DECEMBER 1994 24 OCTOBER 1990 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: KINGSTON, GELSENKIRCHEN, JAMAICA GERMANY

Raheem joined City in July 2015 from Liverpool for a Club A key member of the side that pushed the Blues to the Ilkay Gundogan moved to City having earned a City fans also had their first chance to see their future record fee, reportedly becoming the most expensive wire in the 2013/14 title race, Sterling scored against reputation as an energetic, intelligent midfielder during player in action at close quarters in two group stage English player of all time in the process. Manuel Pellegrini’s outfit in what had seemed the early stages of his career in his native Germany. matches in the Champions League. Dortmund went all a significant 3-2 win. the way to the final at Wembley, with Gundogan sending Inspired to become a footballer because of the family He spent time on the books of a number of clubs, Manuel Neuer the wrong way to equalise from the home’s proximity to , the attacking He made 52 starts in what would be his final season including Borussia Dortmund’s arch-rivals Schalke 04, penalty spot. midfielder began his career at Queens Park Rangers. at Liverpool, scoring 11 goals, but opted for a fresh as a youth until his senior career began in earnest with challenge when City showed interest in bringing him to a move to FC Nurnberg in 2009. A niggling back injury forced Gundogan to miss virtually Born in Jamaica, he had moved to London at the age of the Etihad. all the 2013-14 season, and the subsequent World Cup. seven and eventually spent seven years at Loftus Road. His debut did not arrive until March 2010, but following During his time with the Hoops, he made his international Having joined the Blues in the summer of 2015, Raheem on from a handful of appearances that season he was a But he made a full recovery and continued to impress debut at under-16 level with England. made his debut in the 3-0 away win at West Brom, regular pick in the Nurnberg side that finished sixth in the as Dortmund challenged for honours at home and scoring his first goal against Watford three games later. 2010-11 edition of the Bundesliga. abroad, coming up against former manager Klopp In 2010, he made the move to Merseyside where he in a sensational Europa League quarter-final against made a name for himself as one of the country’s rising He enjoyed a blistering first half of the 2015/16 campaign, Dortmund made their move for Gundogan following on Liverpool in April 2016. stars, making his debut for the Reds as a substitute scoring nine goals in his first 23 starts for the Blues, from that impressive campaign in the summer of 2011, against Wigan in March 2012 at the age of 17. including a hat-trick against Bournemouth and two goals and it was a transfer that paid off in fine style for both Ilkay made his City debut against Borussia in two minutes against Borussia Monchengladbach on club and player alike. Monchengladbach in September 2016 and scored his A string of impressive displays earned him the Golden his 21st birthday. first goal against Bournemouth four days later. Boy award in 2014, as dubbed by a panel of sports Gundogan’s form warranted a first senior cap for He sustained a serious knee injury against Watford in journalists, naming him as the best player under the age He scored twice more in the months that remained, Germany against Belgium in October 2011, and he December 2016, ruling him out for several months. of 21 playing in Europe. totting up an impressive 11 goals from 44 appearances, played a major role in Jurgen Klopp’s Dortmund side as it He will hope for better luck in 2017/18. and made a stunning start to the 2016/17 season, went on to claim its second successive Bundesliga title. While at , Sterling also became the youngest winning the EA Sports Player of the Month and Etihad The German international showed he had fully recovered Liverpool player to ever receive an international cap, 2012-13 saw Dortmund vie with Bayern Munich for both Player of the Month for September. Raheem will be from his injury of the previous season with a series of making his debut for England against Ukraine in the German title and the Champions League, and while aiming high in his third campaign for City. stand-out performances during his second season at September 2012. they were edged out by Bayern both domestically and in the Club, helping City claim the league and Carabao Raheem’s third season as a Blue saw him score his best Europe, Gundogan’s stock continued to rise with some His first senior start for Liverpool came against City that Cup double. He was also part of the German World Cup ever haul of goals - 23 as of April 2018 - and he played a eye-catching performances. August, and he impressed enough to retain his place squad out in Russia. vital role in City’s title success, also earning a nomination ahead of more experienced players. for PFA Young Player of the Year.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 38 KEVIN FABIAN DE BRUYNE DELPH

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 28 JUNE 1991 21 NOVEMBER 1989 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: DRONGEN, BRADFORD, BELGIUM ENGLAND

Known as one of the continent’s assist kings, Kevin Apart from scoring 16 goals in 51 games, he broke the Fabian Delph arrived at City in July 2015 having A first full England cap arrived in September 2014 against De Bruyne arrived at City with a huge reputation but Bundesliga record for most assists with 21 in 2014/15, established himself as an integral member of the Norway, and another good season in a struggling Villa after just one full season with the Blues, it was easy to with his incredible contribution helping them finish Aston Villa side where he had also taken on the side was rewarded with the captaincy of the club from understand why the Club were so keen to secure second in the Bundesliga and to win the German Cup. captain’s armband. new manager Tim Sherwood. his services. His efforts led to him receiving the Bundesliga Player He had also become part of Roy Hodgson’s England City added him to the ranks in time for 2015-16, but a De Bruyne’s creativity and eye for defence splitting of the Year award, as well as the Footballer of the Year squad, winning six caps in the season before his move hamstring injury suffered in the opening seconds of an passes and crosses prompted City to sign the Belgian award in Germany. to Etihad Stadium. England appearance in September side-lined Fabian for two months. international in the summer transfer window of 2015/16. Born in Bradford, Fabian began his senior career at The impact he made in his first season at the Etihad Leeds United, making 50 appearances between 2006 He bounced back to contend for a place in Manuel He began his career at Belgian side Genk, quickly was nothing short of brilliant with the player quickly and 2009 and managing to impress in what was a Pellegrini’s line-up, and bagged his first goal for the working his way into the starting XI for the Pro League becoming a huge crowd favourite thanks to a series difficult time for the Elland Road club. Blues in a 3-1 win over Southampton in September. outfit and he soon became an integral part of their of match-winning displays. title-winning side, making 17 assists in all competitions In 2009 he was voted the Leeds United Young Player of A popular figure with a bubbly personality, Fabian’s and scoring six goals – a sign of things to come. De Bruyne quickly became an integral part of the Blues’ the Year and Leeds United Players’ Player of the Year. sense of fun extended to a straight-faced appearance in attack, orchestrating, providing and often finishing He was also named in the PFA League One Team of the an April Fool’s Day prank on City TV’s Nicola McCarthy. After three full seasons, De Bruyne signed for Chelsea moves that quickly made him indispensable. Few players Year, and won the Football League Player of the Year The Yorkshire-born England international was one of the in January 2012, remaining at Genk for the rest of the have enjoyed such a flying start and his 16 goals and award before moving to Villa in time for the start of the unsung heroes of City’s incredible 2017/18 campaign. 2011/12 season. 15 assists bear testament to a stunning first campaign 2009-10 season. during which he won a record four Etihad Player of the The long-term injury sustained early on by Benjamin He was then loaned out to Werder Bremen for the Month awards. Still only 19 when he moved to , Fabian found Mendy saw Fabian entrusted with the left-back role and 2012-13 season, impressing for the Bundesliga side it hard to nail down a regular starting role but was starting he responded in superb fashion. A stand-out season for whom he scored 10 goals in 34 starts. Voted the MCFC Player of the Season in 2015/16, to make progress when a cruciate knee ligament injury bringing title success was then capped by Fabian’s De Bruyne had another impressive campaign in in April 2010 ruled him out for 10 months. call-up into England’s World Cup finals squad. He then returned to Chelsea where he found first-team 2016/17, topping the Premier League assist list. opportunities hard to come by. So much so, he made He briefly returned to Leeds early in 2012, but just nine appearances and was allowed to leave in the However, it was the 2017/18 campaign that saw the frustratingly his loan spell was cut short by an 2014 January transfer window, signing for Bundesliga Belgian hit his peak, driving City to the title with some ankle injury that ended his season early. outfit Wolfsburg. Though he made 18 starts during his magnificent displays that saw him nominated for the He truly established himself at Villa in 2012-13, and the first campaign, it was his first full season in sky blue that PFA Player of the Year award and winning the inaugural following season saw him voted as the club’s Player of saw De Bruyne blossom into one of the best play-makers Premier League Playmaker of the Season award. the Season. in world football. He ended the season on World Cup finals duty with Belgium.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 39 LEROY DAVID SANE SILVA

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 11 JANUARY 1996 8 JANUARY 1986 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: ESSEN, ARGUINEGUIN, GERMANY SPAIN

Technically gifted with pace to boot, Leroy Sane joined The German side’s best moves came through the David Silva arrived at City in the summer of 2010, the magician and it’s no coincidence that City’s most City in August 2016 as one of Europe’s hottest prospects. forward and he certainly stood out as one for having agreed to join the Blues after the World Cup. successful period has come with Silva as an integral the future. member of the Blues’ starting XI. Having attracted interest from the continent’s footballing It would prove to be one of the most inspired purchases giants, the attacking midfielder made the switch from As he continued to impress at senior level, he wrote by the Club in the modern era. His first two seasons in sky blue saw him add a Germany to England in a bid to continue his football his name into the history books in March 2015 with a Premier League and FA Cup winner’s medal to an Silva had already established himself in the national team education. stunning strike to edge Real Madrid in a memorable 4-3 already bulging collection, as well as individual having steadily risen through the ranks with La Roja, until win in the Champions League, during a season in which honours which include a place in the PFA Premier A bright young talent, his versatility proved a major he made his senior debut in November, 2006. he made 42 appearances and scored nine goals. League Team of the Year in 2012 and the City Player attraction. He is able to play on either wing, as well as a He scored his first goals in a 3-2 win over Greece in of the Year Award for the same season. number 10 or even a ‘false 9’. Born to a rhythmic gymnast champion and a former 2007 and played a key role in Spain’s 2008 European footballer, Sane was destined for sporting greatness. Silva made 41 appearances in the 2012/13 season, Guardiola commented: “He has great technical ability, Championship success, including a semi-final goal With dual French and German citizenship, he had the scoring five goals and assisting 13. is very comfortable on the ball and there is much to against Russia. option to represent either country, eventually opting for admire about the way he plays football. He is fast, enjoys He was again at his sparkling best as City won the his birth nation Germany. He came to prominence when Valencia loaned him creating chances for others, works hard for the team and Premier League title in 2013/14 and was also a to top-flight side Celta Vigo for the 2005-06 season scores goals, too. He also has a very positive attitude Ironically, he made his first-team debut against France Capital One Cup winner as City beat Sunderland and he hit four goals in 31 games to help clinch a UEFA and will fit in well with our squad.” in November 2015 and was called up to the Euro 2016 3-1 at Wembley. Cup spot. side which reached the semi-final stage. He follows in Sane rose to fame after breaking through Schalke’s The following season saw Silva post a personal best as the footsteps of Ilkay Gundogan in making the move Silva’s exploits earned him a seven-year contract highly respected academy to their first team in 2014. he bagged 12 goals in 42 games, though he would have from Germany to Manchester and is the latest in a long at the Mestalla where he would go on to make 161 He had also enjoyed a spell with Bayer Leverkusen’s to wait until the 2015/16 season to add another winner’s tradition of German players who have graced the sky appearances over the next four seasons. youth team between spells at Schalke. medal as he was part of the team that beat Liverpool to blue shirt. Silva quickly adjusted to the demands of English clinch the Capital One Cup. His senior debut arrived in April against VfB Stuttgart – Leroy made his debut away to Manchester United in football, quickly becoming a firm crowd favourite his only appearance that year – but since then, he has Silva won his 100th cap for Spain at Euro 2016 to confirm September 2017 and his displays for City earned a PFA due to his continued excellence. blossomed, becoming a first team regular and quickly his lofty status for both club and country. Young Player of the Year nomination. built up a reputation as a Bundesliga talent to watch. Few would deny that Silva has gone on to become It was his eighth campaign that saw the gifted Spaniard one of the world’s best midfielders, helping his He had already caught the eye in a visit to Manchester The German international emerged as one of the many produce incredible football as he won his third Premier country to the Euro 2012 prize, making him a world back in the 2014/15 season, playing for Schalke’s individual success stories of City’s remarkable 2017/18 League title and was nominated for the PFA Player of the and European champion. under-19s against ’s City in the UEFA campaign. To go along with the two trophies he helped Year award as well as being voted into the PFA Team of Youth League. the Club secure, the exciting winger also won the PFA His ability to cast a spell over opposition defences led the Year. He was a key part of the Spain side that flew out Young Player of the Year award after an excellent to fans nicknaming him either ‘Merlin’ or ‘El Mago’ – to Russia for the World Cup finals. second season in Manchester.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 40 FERNANDINHO BERNARDO SILVA

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 4 MAY 1985 10 AUGUST 1994 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: LONDRINA, LISBON, BRAZIL PORTUGAL

Fernandinho is the consummate midfield anchor man. Somewhat off the radar in Ukraine, he remained with Bernardo Silva arrived in July 2017 having just helped Alongside the likes of , Fabinho, Shakhtar for eight years, winning 14 medals including the the French side to the Ligue 1 title and the Champions Benjamin Mendy, and Kylian Mbappe, Although his main role is as a defensive midfielder, the UEFA Cup and six Ukrainian Premier League titles, while League semi-finals. Silva was instrumental in Monaco winning the French Brazil international can also play in an advanced role and honing his craft on the Champions League stage. title and reaching the Champions League semi-finals. chips in with his quota of goals each season making him He began his career at Benfica, where he impressed a threat to the opposition in both halves of the field. His early success with City helped Fernandinho earn a for their B side in the Segunda Division, and in the Silva made 51 appearances last season, scoring 10 goals starting berth for Brazil in time for the 2014 World Cup summer of 2013 he went to the Under 19 European and assisting a further 10, making him one of Europe’s Swapping Ukraine for Manchester in 2013, Fernandinho and by 2016 he had added 21 more caps to the five he’d Championships where he was named in the top 10 most sought-after playmakers. made an immediate impact, becoming a key piece of previously won. talents by UEFA reporters after helping Portugal to the the jigsaw in the Club’s engine room and making 41 He made his senior international debut for Portugal in semi-finals of the competition. appearances as City lifted the Premier League title and Ferna was one of the first names on the team-sheet for 2015 in a game against Cape Verde and already has Capital One Cup. the 2014/15 campaign and though it didn’t result in any He moved to Monaco in 2014 on a season-long loan 12 caps. silverware, he made 43 appearances and enjoyed yet move having made three appearances for Benfica’s first He quickly became a fans’ favourite and his move The Portuguese went from strength to strength in his first another solid campaign. team – but so impressive were his displays in France, to Manchester reignited his international career that season with the Club and soon established himself as a the deal was made permanent six months into the had been dormant for several years during his time in His third season would see Ferna repeat his 2013/14 firm fans’ favourite with his intricate skills and non-stop agreement. the Ukraine. stats – 46 appearances and 5 goals – but he would be energy. He made more appearances than any other integral in helping the Blues win the Capital One Cup, Silva’s guile helped them finish third in Ligue 1 and reach player and ended the campaign a title winner before Establishing a reputation as one of Brazil’s most scoring the opening goal against Liverpool in normal time the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they joining up with Portugal for the 2018 World Cup finals. promising young talents during three years with Atletico though he missed a penalty in the ensuing shoot-out. beat Arsenal in the last 16 after a brilliant first-leg victory Paranaense, ‘Ferna’ played a key role in his country’s at the Emirates put them in a commanding position. World Youth Championship triumph of 2003. Fernandinho’s fifth season in sky blue was his finest, with the Brazilian playing the anchor role with typical ease and Having finished third in Ligue 1 again the following Seizing the opportunity to further his career in Europe, class as the Blues romped to the Premier League title season, Leonardo Jardim’s attacking revolution began he signed for Shakhtar Donetsk in 2005 . A world away and lifted the Carabao Cup. The Brazilian was another to gather pace in 2016/17. from Brazil in distance, culture and climate, Fernandinho who then jetted out to Russia on World Cup final duty. overcame a number of hurdles to establish himself with his new club.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 41 RIYAD PHIL MAHREZ FODEN

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 21 FEBRUARY 1991 28 MAY 2000 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: SARCELLES, MANCHESTER, FRANCE ENGLAND

City completed the signing of Riyad Mahrez from Mahrez was arguably the Foxes’ most important player, Phil joined City at U9 level and signed his Academy At international level, Phil joined team-mates Curtis Leicester on 10 July 2018. a fact recognised in the end-of-season awards. scholarship in July 2016. Anderson, Joel Latibeaudiere and in the He secured a place in the PFA Team of the Year and England squad for the European U17 Championships, The 27-year-old signed a contract with the Club His left foot and ability to glide past opponents have seen was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year after scoring in the final as the Young Lions suffered a penalty until 2023 and opted to take the number 26 shirt. the Stockport-born playmaker excel at every level, a scoring 17 league goals in 37 matches. defeat at the hands of Spain. trend which continued last season with the U18s. A title winner with Leicester City in 2016, Mahrez was He was also named the African Player of the Year Early in the 2017/18 season he featured in a number of born in France and began his professional career at Utilised in both centre midfield or from a wide position, and the BBC African Player of the Year in 2016. first team squads, making the substitutes’ bench for Le Havre, where he made 67 appearances over his eye for a searching pass made him an integral cog f the games against Brighton, Everton and West Brom a three-year period. In his final two years with the Foxes, Riyad scored 23 or the young Blues. in the Carabao Cup, before departing for the FIFA U17 goals, but Leicester failed to repeat their 2016 heroics, He signed for Leicester in 2013 and helped them win This creativity is complimented with his keen eye for a World Cup in India where he won the Golden Ball for the finishing 12th in 2017 and ninth last season though he promotion from the Championship to the Premier goal and the 17-year-old found the net with regularity in tournament’s best player and helped England to a Under- did help the club to reach the Champions League League by the end of his first season. He played 19 the 2016/17 U18 Premier League campaign. 17s World Cup triumph. quarter-finals in the 2016/17 campaign. times and scored three goals, finishing the season His 11 goals from midfield proved invaluable and Phil made his senior debut for City against in strongly after an initial period of adjustment. In total, Mahrez played 179 times for Leicester, included crucial strikes against Liverpool, Middlesbrough the Champions League, replacing Yaya Toure in the 75th- scoring 48 times. The 2014/15 season saw Leicester finish 14th in the and in both the home and away games against minute, becoming the Blues’ youngest ever player to play league as they won seven of their final nine league Riyad has won 39 caps for , scoring eight goals. Manchester United. in European competition in the process. games to save them from what appeared to be Pep Guardiola rewarded the youngster’s form by naming He became the youngest Englishman to start a certain relegation him in the first team squad for the final Champions Champions League game when he was named in the In 2016, Leicester won the title comfortably in arguably League group stage game against Celtic in December starting XI against Shakhtar in December 2017 and made what was the biggest surprise of the Premier League 2016. several cameo appearances during the remainder of era, finishing 10 points above second-placed Arsenal, the season. His appearance as a substitute in the final After that, the midfielder was back making an impression despite starting the season as 5000-1 outsiders and game of the season ensured he won a Premier League in the FA Youth Cup run. He kicked off with a goal in the being many people’s tip for relegation. winners’ medal. 4-0 third round win against Reading and scored a fine goal – displaying that talent for ghosting past opponents – in the 6-0 semi-final victory over Stoke.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 42 OLEKSANDR BRAHIM ZINCHENKO DIAZ

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 15 DECEMBER 1996 3 AUGUST 1999 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: RADOMYSHL, MÁLAGA, UKRAINE SPAIN

Widely regarded as the most talented Ukrainian of his Zinchenko’s performances caught the eye of Ukraine Having swapped Malaga for City as a 14-year-old, The manager introduced him from the bench for the final generation, Oleksandr Zinchenko has taken the road less boss Mykhaylo Fomenko and he went on to become the midfielder Brahim Diaz has progressed rapidly through 10 minutes of the 2-1 victory, to hand Brahim his City travelled to City. third-youngest debutant in Ukraine’s history last October the ranks at the City Football Academy. debut aged just 17 years and 49 days old. behind legends Andriy Shevchenko and Sergei Rebrov. After leaving Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk in 2014, The fleetfooted playmaker enjoyed a fruitful time in the In what proved to be a landmark week, the young man the midfielder moved to Russian side FC Ufa. The midfielder even broke Shevchenko’s record as the Academy, before making his first team debut and signing from Malaga penned his maiden professional contract nation’s youngest-ever scorer when he netted in a Euro his maiden professional contract last season. five days later. During his two years in Russia, Zinchenko helped his 2016 warm-up match against Romania. club avoid relegation twice but it is on the international A 1-1 draw with Liverpool in November 2015 marked the He continued to star for Simon Davies’ EDS side, netting stage where the 19-year-old has made the biggest He was rewarded with a place in his country’s Euro 2016 then 16-year-old’s debut for the U18s, registering his first seven goals in 17 starts and proving his versatility as impact. squad and despite a group stage elimination, Zinchenko goal three weeks later in the 2-2 draw with Blackburn. he played both in the No.10 role and occasionally as a yet again impressed experts. striker. After being included in the Team of the Tournament He ended his first year as an Academy scholar with for both the 2013 U17 and 2015 U19 European After attracting the interest of several major clubs in silverware as he helped Jason Wilcox’s side to the For the second year, he was central to the U18s journey Championships, Zinchenko’s talent became clear. Europe Zinchenko chose City, with his agent citing the Barclays U18 Premier League title. to the FA Youth Cup final and produced several stellar player’s desire to work with Pep Guardiola. showings, scoring in the 4-0 win over Reading and the His precise passing and quick thinking have led experts Brahim continued to impress that summer, at the 6-0 semi-final victory against Stoke. European U17 Championships with Spain, netting three to draw comparisons with some of Europe’s great goals during the tournament, including one in the final as In the 2017/18 season, Brahim made his Champions midfielders including Cesc Fabregas, the Ukrainian’s idol. the young Spaniards finished runners-up to Portugal. League debut against Feyenoord in the group stages. Along with Phil Foden, Brahim also made an appearance Early in the 2016/17 campaign Pep Guardiola named in the last game of the season, earning a Premier League Diaz in his matchday squad for the first time on winner’s medal. 21 September against Swansea in the EFL Cup.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 43 TOM BENJAMIN DELE-BASHIRU GARRE

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 17 SEPTEMBER, 1999 7 NOVEMBER 2000 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: LAGOS, BUENOS AIRES, NIGERIA ARGENTINA

A powerhouse of a midfielder, Tom is capable of driving With pace and trickery in abundance, Benjamin is the team forward from midfield with his direct style starting his third season at the City Football Academy. of play. Naturally left-footed and with great technique, the Similar to the other U16s who moved up to the U18s last Argentine wide man is comfortable on either flank, but is summer, Dele-Bashiru made a real impression during his often deployed on his favoured left side in a front three. first season in the U18 Premier League, scoring six times He netted his first goal, a last-minute equaliser, against in 15 games. Rotherham in the Checkatrade Trophy in August 2017 He then moved up to the Elite Development Squad for and has continued to contribute goals as the season the Premier League 2 during 2017/18. has progressed, hitting the target both home and away against Napoli and against Leicester, Derby County and Tom was included in the 18-man squad for City’s Chelsea domestically. Carabao Cup quarter-final with Leicester City in December 2017 – and came on in extra time to make Garre cites that goal against the Millers as his best what was his first appearance in the senior squad. moment in sky blue and he’s also performed well in the blue and white of Argentina for whom he has won 10 Now he will be looking to progress again over the caps at youth level. course of the 2018/19 campaign. His is a surname of great significance for La Albiceleste, Benjamin’s grandfather Oscar was part of the squad that lifted the 1986 World Cup.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 44 IKER PATRICK POZO ROBERTS

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 6 AUGUST 2000 5 FEBRUARY 1997 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: MALAGA, KINGSTON SPAIN UPON THAMES, UNITED KINGDOM

The younger brother of former City midfielder Jose, the Patrick Roberts is one of the brightest young English He made an instant impression at Parkhead, starting for 17-year old Iker is extremely comfortable on the ball and wingers to emerge in recent seasons. Celtic’s Under-20s as he made three goals and scored is usually played in a deep-lying central midfield role. another in a 4-0 win over Motherwell. Before joining City in July 2015, he had made just 19 A regular for Gareth Taylor’s U18s, he also featured for appearances for Fulham’s first-team, having helped the He was promoted to the first team shortly after and the EDS squad during the 2017/18 season and tested Cottagers to success at youth level and establishing his performances during April earned him the Scottish himself against players several years his senior. himself for England youth. Player of the Month award as well as earning him a legion of new admirers north of the border. He started at the base of midfield in the 3-1 UEFA Youth Born in south-west London, the starlet made the move League victory over Napoli and followed that up with a from Wimbledon to Craven Cottage, where he would He ended the 2015/16 season with an impressive return 13-minute cameo against League One Bradford City in spend five years. He made his senior debut in March of seven goals in 12 games that helped Celtic clinch the the Checkatrade Trophy. 2014, after his manager Felix Magath hailed him “an Scottish Premiership title. extraordinary talent”. Iker made four appearances in Premier League 2 and He remained on loan at Celtic for the 2016/17 campaign, featured six times in the Club’s UEFA Youth League Prior to that, he had starred for the under-18s in their playing against the Blues in the Celtic Park Champions campaign. Premier League title triumphs of 2011/12 and 2012/13, League tie as a second-half sub in a 3-3 draw. He scored earning rave reviews for his dazzling wing play. against City in the return game at the Etihad before going on to be part of Celtic’s invincible, title-winning squad Versatile as well as skilful, Roberts can play either in midfield or as a second striker and he showed a glimpse of his talent when he scored a stunning solo goal against Juventus for City’s EDS team. After making three substitute appearances for the Blues, the decision was taken to allow Roberts to gain more first team experience and he was loaned to Glasgow Celtic for 18 months.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 45 FELIX IAN NMECHA POVEDA

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 10 OCTOBER 2000 9 FEBRUARY 2000 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: HAMBURG, LONDON, GERMANY ENGLAND

Just like older brother Lukas, Felix Nmecha was born After spells at Puerto Malagueno, FC Barcelona and in Germany, grew up in England and has earned Brentford, the London-born 18-year-old joined the Club international recognition with both England U16s in the summer of 2016. and Germany U18s. Nimble and fleet-footed, Ian made a fine start to life at the A midfielder with eight years’ experience in the City Club with three goals in his first two appearances and Academy, Felix began the 2017/18 campaign with an has maintained his fine progress since. impressive strike ratio from midfield. He has featured regularly at Under-18 level but also He was on the mark with a fine curling effort in the 4-1 shone with the EDS side in the Premier League 2, as win against Wolves in August which was followed by well as in Europe, and was another to figure in the UEFA a stellar showing as he netted a hat-trick to inspire the Youth League semi-final against Barcelona in April. young Blues to a 5-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers. Ian, who is eligible for both England and Colombia, has Felix was another who made a major impact in City’s so far represented England at Under-16, Under-17 and progress through to the UEFA Youth League semi-final Under-18 level. against Barcelona in April, making seven appearances in total during the European campaign.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 46 DOUGLAS JACK LUIZ HARRISON

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 9 MAY 1998 20 NOVEMBER 1996 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: RIO DE JANEIRO, STOKE-ON-TRENT, BRAZIL ENGLAND

Douglas Luiz is a 20-year-old Brazilian central Jack, a 21-year-old English winger played for New York midfielder who played for Vasco da Gama before City FC in the MLS, before joining Manchester City in joining Manchester City. He has so far won five caps January 2018. for the Brazil Under-20 national team. Luiz is a He joined Liverpool’s academy as a 7-year-old before silky-skilled attacking midfielder who helped Vasco joining Manchester United’s academy, where he spent Da Gama to promotion to Brazil’s in his debut seven years. He then moved to the United States at the season in the first team. age of 14 and eventually joined Manhattan Soccer Club In his first season with Vasco da Gama, he scored for 2 years, before moving to New York City FC. twice in 15 appearances and then netted three times Once Harrison joined City, he was loaned out to in 24 appearances during his second season Championship side Middlesbrough, where he made After joining City in the summer of 2017, he subsequently four appearances during the latter half of the went on loan to Girona in Spain’s La Liga where he 2017-2018 season. figured 17 times last season.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 47 STRIKERS SERGIO GABRIEL AGUERO JESUS

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 2 JUNE 1988 3 APRIL 1997 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: QUILMA, SÃO PAULO, ARGENTINA BRAZIL

His professional career started in July 2003 when, But Aguero’s place in City’s history was secured when Gabriel Jesus is regarded as one of the most precocious Palmeiras are not only one of the biggest clubs in aged just 15 years and 13 days, he made his debut for he ended the club’s 44-year Premier League title wait talents in South America. the vast metropolis of Sao Paulo, they are the most Independiente, becoming the youngest debutant in the with his goal in the 94th minute against QPR on the final successful team in the history of Brazil’s national The 19-year-old arrived from Brazil after a stellar 2016 Argentine Premier League - a record previously held by day of the 2011/12 season. championship with nine titles. However, before Jesus’ that included Olympics success and domestic glory the man who became his future father-in-law, none other talent inspired the club to glory in this year’s Serie A, they He bagged 28 goals in 2013/14 campaign as the Blues with Palmeiras. than Diego Maradona. had not lifted the title since 1994. won a second Premier League title as well as the Capital After being born in April 1997, Jesus was raised in the Aguero won the Under-20 World Cup with Argentina in One Cup. The new City striker’s blistering form during 2015 not only favelas of Jardim Peri, in the north zone of the huge city 2005, before combining with at Atletico saw his Palmeiras side lift the Copa do Brasil trophy, he In 2014/15, he had his best season yet in terms of of Sao Paulo. Madrid the following year. was also chosen as the winner of the prestigious ‘Best goals, scoring 32 to take his overall tally past 100 in all He then joined the youth set-up at Brazilian giants Newcomer’ award in Brazilian football. His excellent club form was rewarded with a first competitions. In 2015/16 he scored 29 from 42 games – Palmeiras in 2013. Jesus’ talent came to the attention of Argentina cap in September 2006 and a year later, achieving the 100 Premier League goals milestone in the Having been likened to many of the great Brazilian all in Brazil when he scored a jaw-dropping 54 goals in Aguero was the outstanding player at the 2007 Under-20 process and he began the 2016/17 season in blistering attacking talents of the last decade including Neymar 48 games in his first year at the club before 37 goals in 22 World Cup winning both the Golden Boot and Golden form with 11 goals in his first six games and ended with and Robinho, Gabriel Jesus has really gripped the U17 Campeonato Paulista games in the next season. Ball awards, ‘El Kun’ scored six goals in seven games to 33 goals in all competitions - just eight short of matching imagination of the Brazilian public. clinch successive Under-20 World titles. ’s tally of 178. Following his debut for Palmeiras’ first team in March He joined City in January 2017 and made an impressive 2015, the teenage sensation scored 19 goals in 41 games Aguero continued to thrive at Atletico was named La start before a metatarsal injury ruled him out for 10 The 2017/18 campaign was an especially memorable playing at the top level of the Brazilian game. Liga’s best foreign player in 2008 – the only time in four weeks. one for Sergio. He broke Eric Brook’s 78-year Club years that Lionel Messi was not awarded the honour – record when he scored City’s third in a 4-2 win at Napoli Gabriel’s Selecao beat the likes of Uruguay and Portugal before landing an Olympic gold medal with Argentina Though Gabriel’s 2017/18 campaign was also interrupted to move on to 178 goals for the Blues and thus create on the way to the 2015 U20 final before a defeat to Serbia in 2008. by injury, with the Brazilian missing the first two months a new record. His 30 goals during 2017/18 won him a in the New Zealand tournament. of 2018 with a knee injury. However, he returned to action Appearances at the 2010 World Cup and 2011 Copa place in the PFA Team of the Year before injury ended Following that, Jesus was promoted to the first team with a vengeance to help fire the Blues to the title. And America established Aguero as a permanent fixture in his season with his tally on 199 goals for the Blues as he and was crucial to the nation’s Olympics Gold medal having scored an impressive 13 league goals from just the national side, and his arrival at Etihad Stadium in July celebrated collecting his third Premier League winners’ success on their home soil. Jesus has lead the line for 29 appearances, Gabriel was subsequently named in 2011 broke the Club’s transfer record. medal. Sergio subsequently jetted out to Russia as part Brazil in matches such as the 3-0 thrashing of Argentina the Brazil squad for the 2018 World Cup finals. of Argentina’s World Cup squad. He didn’t take long to announce himself at City, scoring in November alongside the likes of Neymar and twice on his debut against Swansea, ending his debut . season with a superb tally of 30 goals.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 49 LUKAS RABBI NMECHA MATONDO

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 12 DECEMBER 1998 9 SEPTEMBER 2000 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: HAMBURG, LIVERPOOL, GERMANY ENGLAND

An extremely talented youngster who shines in the no.9 He made his Premier League debut in April 2018, coming A pacy winger blessed with a range of trickery, 2017/18 position, Lukas Nmecha has also been deployed on on as a substitute in the 4-1 win away at West Ham. was Rabbi’s first full season with the Club. either wing in a City shirt as managers look to make the The tall striker has also impressed at international level He made his Under-18s debut in the 4-2 win over most of his talents in the final third. and was part of the England U19 squad that won the Reading in the previous campaign, netting one and Possessing an excellent first touch and two good feet, European Championships in 2017. setting another up. Lukas excels in one on one situations and is ruthless in Nmecha played a crucial role in this success, scoring a Liverpool-born, but raised in Cardiff, Rabbi earned his front of goal. last-gasp winner in the semi-final and the only goal of the first call-up to the Welsh U21 squad in October 2017, In the 2015/16 campaign he led City’s scoring charts, game in the final. reward for an impressive start to the season. with 20 goals as the young Blues topped the U18 He then received a call-up into the England Under-21s He’s moved between the U18s and EDS and has carried Premier League. squad for the 2018 Toulon Tournament. a goal threat for both. The following year he was predominantly used by Simon A 12 minute hat-trick for Gareth Taylor’s men against Davies and hit nine times in seventeen Premier League Sunderland was one of the highlights of his season and 2 appearances. he also netted an important strike in the 2-0 win over In the 2017/18 campaign, Lukas was again part of the Feyenoord in the UEFA Youth League. Elite Development Squad and after a short spell out injured returned with a second half hat-trick against Derby County in October, a performance which was rewarded with a place in Pep Guardiola’s matchday squad for the Carabao Cup tie against Wolves.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 50 LUKE NABIL BOLTON TOUAIZI

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 7 OCTOBER 1999 1 FEBRUARY 2001 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: MANCHESTER, MURCIA, ENGLAND SPAIN

The 19-year-old striker is always a handful for the The Spanish youth international is one of the newest opposition defence, with his direct style of play and recruits in the Academy intake, having joined the Club flair proving to be a successful combination. early in 2017. He made his debut for the U18s in the 7-2 win against Nabil arrived at the Blues from Valencia and has already Derby County in December 2015 and the following made a goal scoring impact. season, as a first-year scholar, he played 21 times. A tall forward who leads the line well, Nabil was on In the summer of 2017 he tasted success at international target three times in the opening two games of the U18 level as part of the England U20 side that won the Toulon season and added two in the 6-2 win over Sunderland Tournament. in September. Luke maintained his progress in the 2017/18 season, Nabil maintained that fine record throughout the rest of scoring twice from seven appearances in the Premier the campaign, going on to make 18 appearances for the League 2 for City, and played his part in the Club’s U18s, scoring 12 goals. progress through to the UEFA Youth League semi-final He’s impressed for the EDS too, making five where City were edged out 5-4 by Barcelona. appearances in the Premier League 2 and featuring four times in the Club’s UEFA Youth League campaign.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 51 BERSANT THIERRY CELINA AMBROSE

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH: 9 SEPTEMBER 1996 28 MARCH 1997 PLACE OF BIRTH: PLACE OF BIRTH: PRIZREN, SENS, KOSOVO FRANCE

After joining City as a youngster in 2012, 21-year-old This was followed up by his first team debut in January Before coming to City in 2013, Thierry Ambrose dazzled He was rewarded for his fine start to the 2014/15 season Bersant Celina made his City breakthrough in the 2016 when he appeared as a second half substitute for Auxerre’s youth teams, representing the Under-17 and when he was named on the bench for the first-team 2014/15 campaign in which he started the season with against Norwich City in the FA Cup. Under-19 age groups while still just 15 years of age. for the first time on 20 December when Crystal Palace the Under-18s before being rewarded with a first-team visited the Etihad. Celina signed a new three-year deal with City following Able to play as a striker or anywhere in behind the main call-up. a sublime 2016/17 campaign with FC Twente for whom forward, Thierry played a defining role in their capture of A knee injury suffered in December 2015 against The versatile forward made the first team bench for City’s he scored five times in 28 appearances. the Northern Premier League title in 2013/14. Ambrose Borussia Monchengladbach cut short his 2015/16 FA Cup clash against Sheffield Wednesday in January scored 22 goals in 32 appearances in all, marking himself campaign, but he returned the following season to He subsequently spent the 2017/18 season on loan 2015, and after taking his chance to impress during out as “one to watch” at the club. register five goals in eight games. at Championship-side Ipswich Town making 35 training with the first team he made his debut against appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals. Thierry’s hero is namesake Thierry Henry of Arsenal and Thierry, 21, then spent the 2017/18 campaign on loan Hamburg in a mid-season friendly that same month. France fame, and it’s easy to see why when you see at NAC Breda for whom he made 30 appearances in After moving to Norway from Kosovo at the age of 2, Comfortable on either wing or further forward, he the youngster play, as he drifts in from wide, making it the , scoring 10 goals. the playmaker has represented his adopted nation at possesses quick feet, a powerful shot and has scored difficult for opposition defenders to pick him up. youth level, but subsequently made footballing history a variety of wonderful goals in his City career, scooping with the land of his birth. The Parisian is also a deceptively tough player, equally the Academy Goal of the Season award in 2013/14. adept at tracking back to win the ball to halt promising Bersant was the youngest player selected in the Celina’s strike rate was consistently excellent at opposition moves as he is at turning up in the right space senior Kosovo squad for the country’s first ever whichever level he was asked to play– nine goals in at the right time to tap/slam/head home crucial goals. FIFA-sanctioned friendly in March 2014 and made 14 Under-18 league appearances was matched by his first start for the national team against Oman in Thierry earned a pro deal in July 2014 and went straight four goals in seven UEFA Youth League matches, September 2014 – the country’s first ever officially into Patrick Vieira’s Elite Development Squad. while he notched a further three strikes in 10 Under-21 recognised victory. appearances after forcing his way into Patrick Vieira’s competitive EDS squad. A place in the first team pre-season 2015 tour squad to Australia and Vietnam was the reward for the youngster, and he came on as a second half substitute against Adelaide United in the tour’s opening match.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 52 Since then more than 30 young players have emerged from the Academy to play first-team football CITY FOOTBALL for Manchester City, including the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips, and . In line with the Elite Player Performance Plan, the ACADEMY Category 1 Academy prepares players of the future for the Club and enables them to progress both on and off the field. Based at the newly built City Football Academy THE ACADEMY WAS SET UP IN 1998 TO players aged 9-18 receive structured coaching PROVIDE A STRONG AND EFFECTIVE together with an educational and welfare YOUTH PROGRAMME AIMED AT THE programme throughout their time at the Club. RECRUITMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG FOOTBALLERS WITHIN MANCHESTER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 53 Manchester City’s community story began in 1880 However, it’s not just Manchester where City in when the Connell family of St Mark’s Church in the Community programmes continue to go from CITY IN THE Gorton harnessed the power of football in a bid to strength to strength. We’ve also seen the global unite their community. impact grow in cities both where we have Clubs and further afield. City currently supports young leaders By providing the opportunity to regularly play the in 18 cities around the world, who are delivering beautiful game, they generated a positive change in COMMUNITY community football projects to tackle social issues behaviours and attitudes in a neighbourhood that in their communities. was experiencing a range of social issues. In June 2018, City in the Community hosted its fourth It is this philosophy and spirit that still runs through Young Leaders Summit where more than 70 young DURING THE 2017/18 SEASON, CITY IN THE all the day-to-day activity of Manchester City’s people from 18 different cities across the globe foundation, City in the Community. COMMUNITY CONTINUED TO GROW ITS attended the City Football Academy taking part in FOOTPRINT IN GREATER MANCHESTER Established in 1986, City in the Community has been a variety of on and off-the-pitch sessions. using the power of football to create opportunities, The sessions were devised to develop and enhance build futures, and touch lives in a unique way. AND BEYOND, REACHING OVER 31,000 the participants’ leadership and community skills. PARTICIPANTS THROUGH THE DELIVERY By placing the game at the heart of its plans the Club’s Foundation makes a big difference to local OF OVER 28,000 SESSIONS employment, crime prevention, social inclusion and the health and wellbeing of fans, friends and neighbours.

MANCHESTER CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR 2018 54