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Manchester City sign goalkeeper Ederson from Benfica

Ederson looks set to be heading to the Etihad Stadium
Image: Ederson has completed his move to the Etihad from Portugal

Manchester City have wrapped up the signing of goalkeeper Ederson from Benfica for 40m Euros (£34.7m).

City needed to resolve third-party ownership issues before confirming their new acquisition on Thursday morning and the 23-year-old will officially join on July 1 on a six-year deal.

He will become City's fourth Brazilian alongside Fernandinho, Fernando and Gabriel Jesus.

"I like everything about Manchester City," Ederson told City's website. "This is a great club, the league they have here in England and they have amazing fans and they play splendid football.

"I have always had the dream to play in English football and now I'm going to make it true.

Pep arrivals
Pep arrivals

What do Manchester City need?

"With Pep Guardiola, City are growing more and more. He is putting in place a young team for the future. Those were important factors in making my decision.

"Manchester City has an amazing squad. I think they managed to have a good season. Next season, we will have to be focused to achieve the goal of winning trophies."

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Ederson originally joined Benfica as a 16-year-old but was released after two years to spend time with Portuguese lower-league side Ribeirao before returning to Rio Ave.

Manchester City's Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo gestures to the Huddersfield fans after Manchester City's Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho scored his
Image: Claudio Bravo faces another battle for the gloves at City

He returned to the Estadio Luz in the summer of 2015 and went on to win two league titles and three cups with the Lisbon-based side. The goalkeeper was called up by Brazil in March but has yet to be capped.

Claudio Bravo will now be challenged for the starting spot in goal at the Etihad Stadium, with England's Joe Hart out of favour. Willy Caballero has left City following the expiration of his contract.

Guardiola has wasted little time in strengthening ahead of the 2017/18 campaign, having recently completed a £43m deal to sign Bernardo Silva from Monaco.

City's director of football Txiki Begiristain added: "We are delighted to bring Ederson to Manchester City. He is one of the best young goalkeepers in the Europe and he is an important addition to the squad for next season and the coming seasons.

"He is young, has all the qualities you could want as a top-class goalkeeper and I think he'll fit in really well to our squad."

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