Confirmed: Laporte Joins Al Nassr, Ronaldo’s New Team at Man City

Aymeric Laporte Embraces New Chapter: Joins Al-Nassr with Ronaldo’s Saudi Squad

In a significant move on Thursday, Aymeric Laporte officially joined the wave of Premier League talents heading to Saudi Arabia, as the Manchester City defender sealed his transition to Al-Nassr in a deal reportedly worth £23 million ($29 million).

During his tenure with Manchester City, the Spanish center-back, Laporte, amassed an impressive collection of 12 major honors. His journey with the club was marked by triumphs and achievements. Nevertheless, at certain junctures, he found himself on the fringes of action during City’s triumphant campaign. The arrival of Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol in the summer further limited his opportunities for consistent playtime.

At 29 years of age, Laporte becomes the latest in a line of City luminaries making the shift to the Gulf State for lucrative endeavors. This transition follows closely on the heels of Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, who recently embarked on a new chapter with Al-Ahli.

Laporte’s presence was notable over the course of 180 appearances for Manchester City. His journey began in January 2018 when he joined from Athletic Bilbao for a then-club record of £57 million. Reflecting on his time with the club, Laporte shared his sentiments, saying, “I am proud to have represented Manchester City over the last six seasons. When I first joined, I was excited about the prospect of winning trophies. However, I could not have imagined the success we would go on to achieve together.”

He went on to express gratitude towards the coaches, teammates, and the passionate City fanbase for their unwavering support throughout his Manchester journey. Notably, Laporte garnered five Premier League titles, a coveted Champions League triumph, and five domestic cups during his tenure as part of Pep Guardiola’s squad. As he embarks on a fresh adventure, he’ll now find himself alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Al-Nassr is among the four Saudi clubs that came under the ownership of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) in June. This transition sparked an impressive influx of talent from the Premier League and Europe’s other top divisions. The roster now boasts renowned names such as Neymar, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante. Additionally, stars like Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson, Kalidou Koulibaly, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Alex Telles, and Ruben Neves have all embarked on their own journeys in the Gulf State, marking a significant evolution in the football landscape.