Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Argentina international goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from French club Marseille on a two-year contract. The 34-year-old will join as the backup to Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Rulli returns to City after a previous spell during the 2016/17 season when he did not make a first-team appearance. Expressing enthusiasm about the move, he said, "When the chance to join Manchester City comes along you have to go for it."
He added, "This is an amazing opportunity for me and one I had to grasp. The club's long-term success and high standards made this an easy decision. My focus now is to train hard and integrate with the team."
Geronimo Rulli has earned eight caps for Argentina and was part of the squads that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa America. He also featured in Argentina's run to the 2026 World Cup final, where they finished runners-up to Spain.
His European club career includes stints at Real Sociedad, Villarreal, Montpellier, and Ajax. Notably, he scored a penalty in Villarreal's 2021 Europa League final victory over Manchester United and later saved a decisive penalty in the shootout.
Marseille's Financial Challenges Prompt Player Sales
Marseille, facing a 10 million euro fine for UEFA break-even target breaches and missing out on Champions League qualification after finishing fifth in Ligue 1, have been offloading high-earning players this summer. Rulli is among those departing to help balance the club's finances.
- Defender Facundo Medina recently transferred to Bayer Leverkusen.
- English forward Mason Greenwood moved to Fenerbahce.
- Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Deportivo La Coruña.
