Manchester City today announced the signing of goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, 29, for three seasons after concluding his contract with Arminia Bielefeld on Thursday, a German club that this last season could not avoid relegation from the Bundesliga.
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“This is a fantastic move for me,” said Ortega, of a German mother and Spanish father and considered one of the best goalkeepers in Germany despite losing the category. “Manchester City is an incredible team, a team with world-class quality in all areas.”
Ortega will in principle be Pep Guardiola’s second option behind Ederson Moraes, although his arrival will increase competition in City’s goal.
The American Zack Steffen, until now the second goalkeeper of the ‘citizen’ squad, will go on loan to Second Division Middlesbrough, after making a resounding mistake last April in the FA Cup semi-final lost to Liverpool at Wembley (2- 3). His departure has not yet been confirmed by City.
Just two weeks ago veteran Scott Carson, third goalkeeper in Guardiola’s ranking, renewed until 2023 at 36 years old.
Harwood-Bellis y Egan-Riley, al Burnley
Meanwhile, City today announced the departure of two young defenders to Burnley, led by former ‘citizen’ Vincent Kompany after being relegated from the Premier League.
The players in question are Taylor Harwood-Bellis, 20, who will play on loan at Burnley in the 2022-23 season after doing so at Belgian Anderlecht and at Stoke, also from the English Second, in the first and second half of last season respectively.
For his part, CJ Egan-Riley, 19, has committed to the ‘clarets’ after finishing his contract on Thursday. He ends 10 years at City, in whose first team he made his debut last September.