Nico O’Reilly handed new Manchester City shirt number | OneFootball

Manchester City have now revealed the brand new shirt number to be worn by Nico O’Reilly during his continued rise in Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad.

Having emerged as one of the brightest stars of City’s youth system in recent years, O’Reilly’s increasing prominence under Guardiola has been symbolised by this significant change off the pitch.

After a landmark debut season that saw the teenager firmly establish himself as part of the senior squad, the club have now made a permanent gesture in recognition of that rise. Previously wearing the number 75 shirt, O’Reilly’s new designation marks a clear elevation in his status heading into the 2025/26 campaign.

The change comes as no surprise to Manchester City followers who witnessed O’Reilly’s breakout year, as the former Under-18s captain first earned his place in Pep Guardiola’s senior plans during pre-season in the United States.

His competitive debut came in the FA Community Shield victory over Manchester United at Wembley Stadium prior to the last season, setting the tone for a season that would see the England youth international feature in 21 senior matches.

Now, as confirmed by Manchester City this week, the club’s latest star Academy graduate in Nico O’Reilly will wear the number 33 shirt for the club from the start of the 2025/26 season onwards.

The number 33 shirt has a rich legacy at the Etihad Stadium, with the likes of Vincent Kompany, Gabriel Jesus, and Matija Nastasic having worn it before him. Goalkeepers Scott Carson and Kasper Schmeichel have also been previous holders.

O’Reilly finished his debut campaign with five senior goals, including a standout brace in the FA Cup fifth round win against Plymouth Argyle and important contributions during City’s FIFA Club World Cup triumph, with his ability to operate across midfield positions seeing him touted as a future cornerstone of Pep Guardiola’s evolving squad.

The shirt number update is also a reaffirmation of City’s belief in O’Reilly’s long-term potential. The move may signal not only increased first-team minutes this season but also a deeper leadership role within the squad, as the club looks to refresh its core with Academy talent amidst a shifting transfer landscape.

Looking ahead, there is strong expectation that Nico O’Reilly will be a consistent part of Manchester City’s domestic and European campaigns this term, with opportunities likely across the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and domestic cups.

His technical quality, vision, and calmness under pressure make him an ideal fit for Guardiola’s midfield rotations, particularly in light of ongoing uncertainties around veteran options like Ilkay Gündoğan and Mateo Kovacic.

Elsewhere, and there is also an understanding that the new shirt number coincides with an agreement having been struck between O’Reilly and City on a new contract, following two rejected bids from Bayer Leverkusen and approaches from within the Premier League.