Yahoo News Nathan Ake completes £41m move to Manchester City from Bournemouth
Nathan Ake completed a £41 million move to Manchester City from Bournemouth on Wednesday night.
Ake has signed a five-year contract after passing a medical on Wednesday and becomes City’s second purchase of the summer following Ferran Torres’ £20.9m move from Valencia on Tuesday.
City moved quickly to secure Ake’s services after Bournemouth’s relegation from the Premier League, although the club remain in the market for a second centre-half.
“City have been the best side in England over the course of the last decade,” said Ake, 25, who will also offer City cover at left-back and boosts the club’s home-grown quota, despite being Dutch.
“Coming here is a dream for me. This is a top side full of world-class players. Everywhere you look in this squad there are big names with international pedigree.
“Pep is a manager admired across the world – what he’s done in the game speaks for itself. The success he’s had is unbelievable and the style of football he plays really appeals to me.
“I know I’m going to have to work hard to get into the side, but that’s what I’m here to do. I’ll do whatever I can to make an impact and help the team win silverware.”
City’s struggles in central defence following Vincent Kompany’s departure last summer were compounded by the loss of Aymeric Laporte to injury for five months last season and Txiki Begiristain expects Ake to add leadership and quality to the back line. Ake’s arrival raises fresh doubts over the futures of John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi.
“Nathan is a quality defender,” City’s director of football said. “He was a leader during his time at Bournemouth, and I am so pleased we’ve managed to bring him here.
“He’s strong and quick, and we feel he has the technical and intellectual attributes needed to excel in Pep’s setup.”
