Manchester City have completed a return deal for Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, signing the 34-year-old from Marseille on a two-year contract. The move brings Rulli back to the Etihad Stadium, where he previously spent the 2016-17 season without featuring for the first team.
According to reports, City paid a fee of £1.7m to secure Rulli's signature. He arrives as a direct replacement for James Trafford, the young English goalkeeper who departed City for Leeds in a transfer worth up to £45m. Rulli is expected to serve as backup to Gianluigi Donnarumma, who remains the club's first-choice goalkeeper.
Speaking about the move, Rulli expressed his excitement at rejoining the Premier League champions. "This is an amazing opportunity for me and one I had to grasp. When the chance to join Manchester City comes along you have to go for it," he said. He went on to praise the club's reputation and culture, adding, "Everyone knows what an impressive club this is. City's success over a long time has been impressive. Everyone I have spoken to about City said I had to join them because they are a club with incredibly high standards."
Rulli also spoke about his ambitions in his new role, emphasizing the value of being surrounded by elite competition. "Every professional wants to be in a high-performance environment and I can't wait to get started because I know I will improve and learn, which is always my main priority," he said.
The goalkeeper brings with him a wealth of experience gathered across several major European leagues. Before this move, Rulli represented clubs such as Real Sociedad, Montpellier, and Ajax, building a reputation as a reliable and composed shot-stopper throughout his career.
One of the most memorable moments of Rulli's career came in 2021, when he played a decisive role in Villarreal's Europa League final triumph over Manchester United. Not only did he convert his own penalty during the dramatic shootout, but he also saved the attempt from United's David de Gea, sealing the trophy for the Spanish side in one of the competition's longest-ever penalty shootouts.
On the international stage, Rulli has earned eight caps for the Argentina national team and has been part of some of the country's most successful recent campaigns. He was included in the squad that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and later celebrated Argentina's triumph at the 2024 Copa America. He was also part of the squad that reached the 2026 World Cup final, further cementing his status as a trusted figure within the national setup, even if primarily in a squad or backup capacity.
With Trafford's departure leaving a vacancy behind Donnarumma, City moved quickly to bring in a keeper with proven big-game experience and tournament success. Rulli's familiarity with high-pressure situations, combined with his previous stint at the club, is seen as a valuable asset for a squad continuing to compete on multiple fronts domestically and in Europe.
Manchester City's coaching staff will be hoping that Rulli's experience provides depth and stability to the goalkeeping department as the season progresses, while the Argentine will look to make the most of his second opportunity at the Etihad after failing to make a senior appearance during his first spell nearly a decade ago.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.