Manchester City Reunites with Gerónimo Rulli on Two-Year Deal

Manchester City have moved to reinforce their goalkeeping department with the return of Argentina international Gerónimo Rulli on a two-year contract from Marseille.

The 34-year-old has signed a deal running until June 2028, with City paying around £1.7m for the experienced stopper. He will take the No.28 shirt at the Etihad Stadium and steps in as James Trafford’s replacement after the England goalkeeper’s switch to Leeds.

This is not Rulli’s first taste of Manchester. He was on City’s books during the 2016/17 season, though he never made a first-team appearance before continuing his career on the continent. Eight years later, he comes back as a very different proposition.

Since that brief initial spell, Rulli has built a substantial body of work across Europe. He established himself at Real Sociedad, had a stint at Montpellier, lifted silverware with Villarreal, then added further experience at Ajax and most recently Marseille.

On the international stage, he has earned eight caps for Argentina and has been part of a golden era for his country. Rulli was a member of the squads that won the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América, adding heavyweight credentials to City’s goalkeeping group.

English fans may remember him most vividly from Gdańsk in 2021. That night, Rulli played a decisive role in Villarreal’s Europa League final triumph over Manchester United, scoring and then saving in the epic penalty shootout that delivered the trophy.

Now he returns to Manchester with medals, miles and a reputation forged under pressure — tasked with adding depth and know-how behind City’s first-choice options as they chase yet more silverware.