City seal signing of Cherki | OneFootball

Manchester City have completed the signing of Rayan Cherki from Lyon.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has put pen to paper on a five-year deal, which keeps him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2030.

Cherki, a product of Lyon’s academy, is vastly experienced despite his young age having already played 185 times for his boyhood club.

He has quickly gained a reputation for being one of the most creative and exciting young talents to have emerged in the European game.

Cherki made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in October 2019 and quickly made his mark, becoming Lyon’s youngest ever scorer with a strike in January 2020.

Later that season, he became the youngest player to feature in a Champions League semi-final when he was substituted on during Lyon’s tie with Bayern Munich.

The winger became a regular with the French side in 2022/23 and has since been one of the standout players in Ligue 1.

In fact, his form in 2024/25 meant he was one of just two players outside of Paris Saint-Germain to feature in the French top flight's Team of the Season.

Cherki provided further evidence of his sublime talent in March when he helped France’s Under-21s defeat an England Under-21 side featuring both Rico Lewis and James McAtee 5-3 in a friendly, the midfielder rounding off a quite bewitching display with two assists and France’s final goal.

The following month Cherki also served up two sumptuous displays in Lyon’s eventful Europa League quarter-final ties with Manchester United, scoring in both legs before the French side went out 7-6 on aggregate.

And most recently, Cherki’s quality and vast potential was illustrated on the senior international stage.

Summoned from the bench for his France bow in last week’s UEFA Nations League semi-final against Spain, he helped spark a spirited late comeback from 5-1 down, also finding the target, before Les Bleus were finally edged out 5-4.

That was followed by a fine maiden full appearance in Sunday’s third and fourth place play-off with Cherki helping France defeat Germany 2-0.

A winger or attacking midfielder who can dribble past an opponent or burst into space, Cherki has an eye for an assist as much as finding the net himself.

Exceptionally two-footed, he’s capable of beating a man, putting a cross in or shooting from any angle.

Cherki will now be available to Pep Guardiola immediately, starting with this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup in the USA.

Speaking after signing his contract, Cherki was delighted to have made the move.

“This is a dream for me,” Cherki said. “Honestly, to be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to make the next step in my career here is something very, very special.

“I have worked so hard for this all my life. I love this sport, and I can’t wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom staff.

“Everyone knows how good City are – they have been so successful for many years now. The responsibility to help the team continue winning is something I want to embrace.

“I would only leave Lyon for a project I really believe in and everything at City suggests I can develop my game and help the team be successful in the future.

“I can’t wait to show City fans what I can do.”

Director of Football Hugo Viana added: “We’re very happy to have Rayan at City. We want to bring top talent to the club, and he falls into that category.

“He’s a player our scouts have watched for a long time, and we have all been impressed with his skill and creativity. I am convinced our fans will be excited to see him play.

“There’s no doubt that he’s now in the best place possible to develop further under Pep’s guidance and I really believe he can become a world-class player with our support and direction.”

Everyone at Manchester City would like to welcome Rayan to the Club and wish him the best of luck during his time here.

Flair and finesse

Rayan Cherki is the type of special footballer that gets fans out of their seats.

Whether it’s from a wide position or through the middle, his first thought during his fledgling career at Lyon was always to beat a man, pick a pass and find a route to goal.

If a game requires a moment of inspiration, then Cherki is more than comfortable with attempting the unexpected and conjuring up something special.

Just like Savinho and Jeremy Doku in the last two summers, he arrives at the Etihad Stadium as a hugely exciting young creative talent already armed with experience of Europe’s elite level and a game ready to be moulded by Pep Guardiola.

And the extra weapon in his armoury comes from his incredible two-footedness.

Primarily left-footed but capable and willing to use his right to pass, shoot or cross, the 21-year-old's technical versatility will be a conundrum for defenders looking to contain him just to one side of the pitch.

Having set records aplenty as a teenager in France due to his rapid rise through the ranks, Cherki now arrives in England ready to forge a new path away from his boyhood club.

With almost 200 senior games under his belt at such a young age, it’s unlikely he’ll be overawed by the bright lights of the Etihad Stadium.

He also arrives with plaudits aplenty not least from former France legend Thierry Henry who says he has ‘never seen a player in history who dribbles as quickly as him.’

And with a richly talented City squad to slot into and learn from, Cherki is now primed to develop at the very highest level as he adjusts to life in Manchester.

Season by season stats

Lyon

2019/20: 13 apps, three goals, two assists

2020/21: 30 apps, four goals. four assists

2021/22: 20 apps, two goals, four assists

2022/23: 39 apps, five goals, six assists

2023/24: 39 apps, three goals, nine assists

2024/25: 44 apps, 12 goals, 20 assists