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Sane signs for City

Michael Da SilvaAugust 1, 2016

The 20-year-old completed a medical in Manchester on Monday morning and was unveiled on Tuesday. The winger has signed a five-year deal and will wear the number 19 shirt at his new club.

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Fußball Bundesliga FC Schalke 04 Spieler Leroy Sane
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/G. Kirchner

Leroy Sane completed his move from Schalke to Manchester City on Tuesday for a reported 50 million euros ($56 million).

As quoted on the Manchester City website, Sane said: "One of the reasons I decided to join City was Pep Guardiola; he convinced me to come here."

"I know I will learn a lot under him and now I can take the next step in my career. I think he can make me a more complete player," added Sane.

The 20-year-old arrived in Manchester on Monday morning to complete a medical ahead of a five-year deal, which could equal the reported 50 million euros Arsenal paid for Mesut Özil in 2013.

Sane has become Pep Guardiola's second signing from the Bundesliga following the arrival of Ilkay Gündogan from Borussia Dortmund and Guardiola was equally full of praise for the Schalke youngster.

"He has great technical ability, is comfortable on the ball and there is much to admire about the way he plays football," Guardiola was quoted as saying on the City website.

Sane scored nine goals in 42 appearances for Schalke last season and joins a City squad brimming with attacking talent.

The new recruit will be competing with David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Jesus Navas, Samir Nasri and another summer arrival, Nolito, for a starting berth in Guardiola's team.

Schalke's new sporting director Christian Heidel said that talks were tough but fair, and that Sane's departure is hard to take.

"Our hearts bleed a little bit. In Leroy, we've lost a great footballer with a top character who Schalke are grateful to," read a statement on Schalke's website.

Whatever the actual fee - both clubs kept the true number undisclosed - Schalke have received a hefty return for one of their stars. The arrival of Coke from Sevilla and Baba Rahman (on loan) from Chelsea shows both Heidel and Markus Weinzierl are already working to improve the squad.