Manchester City Sign Brazilian Winger Allan Elias for €40m

Manchester City have completed the signing of Brazilian winger Allan Elias from Palmeiras, landing the 22-year-old on a five-year contract in a deal worth around €40 million ($47 million).

The move makes Elias the club’s sixth arrival of a busy summer, as City continue to refresh a squad that has dominated English football for much of the last decade.

City’s Director of Football Hugo Viana did not hide his excitement at the capture.

“Allan is a really exciting player, and we think he will be a big addition to the squad,” Viana said in a statement. “He has shown throughout his short career so far that he will fight to be the best he can be.”

Elias arrives after rising through the academy at Palmeiras, the São Paulo giants where he made 96 first-team appearances and established himself as one of the brightest young wide players in Brazil.

He joins a list of new faces that already includes Elliot Anderson, Geronimo Rulli, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Jeremy Monga and Pierce Charles, underlining City’s intent to strengthen across the pitch.

For Elias, born in Florianopolis, the move marks a leap into the elite.

“This is a surreal moment for me. Manchester City, with everything they have won over the past 15 years, are one of the most attractive clubs in the world for players,” he said.

“To be able to sit here today and say I have joined them is the proudest moment of my life. I love Palmeiras and always will — but the decision to come to City was an easy one.”

He knows exactly what awaits him in the Premier League and at the Etihad. City’s recent history is full of Brazilian success stories, and Elias made clear he wants to be the next in that line.

The winger said he hoped to be “another good Brazilian” in England’s top flight, following the path carved out at City by Gabriel Jesus, Ederson and Fernandinho — all of whom lifted Premier League titles in sky blue.

Now it is his turn to try to add his name to that group.