Manchester City sign Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao in club-record transfer

Manchester City have completed the signing of Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte on a five-year deal for €65 million (£57m), in a club record deal.

The 23-year-old signed a contract until 2023, a contract that also makes him City's most expensive signing in pound sterling, although the price in Euros is less than the €76m (£55m) paid to Wolfsburg for Kevin De Bruyne in 2015.

I am very happy to be here," Laporte told City's official website.

City are a club with a lot of ambition and they are one of the best teams in Europe. I am looking forward to working under Pep Guardiola and trying to help the club to achieve success.

It means a lot that the club have shown faith in me and I am excited to get started.

Defensive reinforcements acquired! 💪🇫🇷

Please #welcomeaymeric to the Club! pic.twitter.com/cDu4FWOKlb

— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 30, 2018

Speaking at a news conference shortly after the signing, City manager Pep Guardiola said Laporte is ready to make an instant impact.

He is able to start right away, Guardiola said.

The Premier League is special in many senses but he is intelligent. It's always tough for a new player but we will be patient.

He's played since a young age in La Liga so at a high level. He's strong in the air and fast. He's got good quality and we are delighted.

City will also have to pay a further €5m for development rights because Laporte is a youth product of Athletic.