Manchester City Announce Signing of Enzo Fernandez
Manchester City have announced the signing of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea on a contract until 2031. The club made the announcement on Tuesday, as reported by multiple outlets.
Fernandez, 25, joins City after a successful spell at Chelsea from 2023 to 2026, during which he helped the club win the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. His performances in the Premier League established him as one of the league's finest midfielders, a reputation acknowledged in reports from ANI and the Free Press Journal.
Career Trajectory and International Honours
Fernandez began his professional career in Argentina with Defensa y Justicia and River Plate, where he won four major trophies. He then moved to Benfica for the 2022-23 season, winning the Primeira Liga. His performances earned him a move to Chelsea in January 2023 for a reported £106.8 million.
On the international stage, Fernandez was part of the Argentina squad that won the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and the Copa America in 2024. He also helped Argentina reach the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they finished as runners-up after losing to Spain.
Player and Club Statements
In a statement released by Manchester City, Fernandez said: "Manchester City are the most successful club in England in recent times. Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well-run City are."
He added: "I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies. This is a club built for success. If you look across the squad, City have quality in every area. I want to learn from my new teammates and become a better player."
Fernandez also expressed his commitment, saying: "I pride myself on continually improving my game. Anyone who has worked with me will know how hard I train every single day and how much I put into matches. I give absolutely everything, and I can promise Manchester City that will continue now I am here."
He concluded by thanking "Hugo, Enzo, Khaldoon and everyone at City who has made this deal possible," adding that he wants to "take the faith shown in me and repay it as soon as possible."
Manchester City's Director of Football, Hugo Viana, welcomed the signing, saying: "At Manchester City, we are always looking to bring in world-class players and Enzo fits the bill."
Viana elaborated: "He is a complete midfielder: technically gifted, hardworking, tenacious and a goalscorer. He is adept at playing different styles of football. He is comfortable playing a possession-based game, and he can play on the counter effectively, too."
He added: "To have played in two World Cup finals and won major trophies in multiple countries at just 25 says everything you need to know about his mentality, professionalism and technical quality. We are delighted to bring him here and feel very strongly he will improve our team."
Transfer Fee and Contract Details
According to a report from Yardbarker, the transfer fee is £125 million, which would make Fernandez the joint-most expensive Premier League transfer ever, matching the fee Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak in 2025. The report also notes that Fernandez has signed a five-year contract, making him the first player to command two £100 million-plus transfers in his career.
The move was completed on transfer deadline day, as reported by Yardbarker. The report also highlights Fernandez's contribution in the 2025-26 season, where he scored 15 goals and provided seven assists for Chelsea.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have generated significant revenue from player sales, while City's spending underlines their ambition to strengthen their squad.