Manchester City has officially secured the signing of attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki from Lyon for a fee of £34 million. The 21-year-old French international has signed a five-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2030. Cherki's arrival comes at a pivotal time as City prepares for the Club World Cup, where they will begin their campaign against Morocco's Wydad AC on June 18.

Cherki enjoyed a standout season with Lyon, contributing 12 goals and 20 assists across 44 appearances. His impressive performances have garnered attention from several top European clubs, but he ultimately chose to join Manchester City, citing the club's ambitious project as a significant factor in his decision. He expressed his excitement about the move, stating, "This is a dream for me... I can't wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom staff."

City's Director of Football, Hugo Viana, also praised Cherki, highlighting the player's skill and creativity as key attributes that will enhance the squad. Viana noted that Cherki has been on the club's radar for a considerable time and believes he is in the perfect environment to flourish under Pep Guardiola's guidance.

Cherki's signing marks him as City's third acquisition of the summer, following the arrivals of left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea. As City looks to maintain their dominance in both domestic and international competitions, the addition of Cherki is seen as a strategic move to bolster their attacking options.

With City poised for a competitive season ahead, fans eagerly anticipate Cherki's contributions on the pitch as he aims to establish himself as a key player in one of Europe's top clubs.