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Manchester City bring back Argentina star Geronimo Rulli after nine years

MANCHESTER: Manchester City have brought Argentina international goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli back to the Etihad Stadium, signing the 34-year-old from Marseille on a two-year contract.

Rulli will arrive as City’s second-choice goalkeeper behind Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma, adding experience and international pedigree to Pep Guardiola’s squad.

The move is also a return to familiar territory for Rulli, who spent the 2016-17 season with Manchester City. His first spell, however, ended without a senior appearance, making his return a very different opportunity.

“This is an amazing opportunity for me and one I had to grasp,” Rulli said after completing the move.

The goalkeeper added that joining City was an opportunity he could not afford to overlook, praising the club’s long-standing success and demanding standards.

Rulli has earned eight Argentina caps and was part of the squad that lifted the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2024 Copa America. He also travelled with Argentina to last month’s World Cup final, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain.

His career has taken him across several major European leagues. Before arriving at Marseille, Rulli represented Real Sociedad, Villarreal, Montpellier and Ajax, gaining extensive experience at both domestic and European level.

One of the most memorable moments of his career came in the 2021 Europa League final, when Villarreal faced Manchester United. Rulli not only converted his penalty during the dramatic shootout but also saved David de Gea’s effort as Villarreal won 11-10.

Now, years later, the Argentine goalkeeper returns to Manchester with a new role and a wealth of experience behind him.

The transfer also provides financial relief for Marseille, who are under pressure to balance their books after being fined €10 million for failing to meet UEFA break-even requirements.

Marseille’s fifth-place Ligue 1 finish in the 2025-26 campaign also means they will miss out on Champions League revenue, increasing the need for player sales during the summer.

Rulli’s departure follows several other exits from the French club. Argentine defender Facundo Medina has moved to Bayer Leverkusen, while high-profile forwards Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have also left.

For City, meanwhile, Rulli offers a reliable and experienced option between the posts. For Rulli himself, the move represents a second chance at a club where his first chapter never truly began.

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