Cherki: I was keen to sign for City before FIFA Club World Cup | OneFootball

Rayan Cherki says he wanted to get his move to City sorted quickly in order to play in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder agreed a five-year deal at the Etihad on Tuesday, meaning he can join Pep Guardiola’s squad in time for the tournament.

City fly out to the USA later this week for our Group G opener against Wydad AC next Wednesday, with all four recent signings expected to be on the plane.

Cherki will be joined by Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli and Tijjani Reijnders as fresh faces in our squad for the inaugural edition of the expanded format.

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Speaking in his first interview after joining City, Cherki made it clear how important this summer is to him.

“This cup is new and we want to win,” he stated.

We’ll go to the USA for the win because this cup is every four years and I want the club to win it because it’s the first time it will be played in history.

WATCH: I can’t wait to link up with City team-mates, says Cherki

Asked as a follow up if the competition was a major driver behind signing before the end of the first transfer window, he said: “Yes, of course!”

After the FIFA Club World Cup, City will look to reclaim our Premier League crown after a record-breaking run of four successive titles was ended last season.

Cherki is clearly excited to be a part of a league he greatly admires, saying: “I think I am ready because I see all the time the games in the Premier League and for me, the Premier League is the best league in the world.

“I am impatient to play a game in the Etihad and with my team-mates.”

And our prodigiously talented new signing is also keen to show his skills at the very top table of European football having not been part of the Champions League with Lyon since 2019/20.

“It’s very important for me to play the big cups like the World Cup and the Champions League.

“When I saw that City wanted me and that they play in the Champions League, it was very important.

“I want to play all the cups in my career and now I think it’s a good moment to play the Champions League.”