Enzo Fernandez lands Premier League icon’s shirt number in Man City move

Enzo Fernandez will wear the No.17 shirt at Manchester City – previously worn by Premier League icon Kevin De Bruyne.

The midfielder finally joined the Citizens from Chelsea for £125million on transfer deadline day in record-equalling deal.

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It spelled the end of a long-running transfer saga involving Fernandez, who flirted with an exit from Stamford Bridge all summer.

Having first had his heart set on a move to Real Madrid, the Argentina star sealed a Premier League switch at the 11th hour after Man City emerged as suitors in recent weeks.

Chelsea previously set a deadline of 5pm on Friday, August 14 for interested clubs to meet their £120m asking price, only for the cut-off point to pass without City making an offer.

Despite the Blues’ stance, the deal accelerated in the final hours of the transfer window and was announced just after the 11pm deadline.

Fernandez’s departure came in a chaotic end to Deadline Day, which saw Chelsea miss out on signing Monaco’s Lamine Camara as a replacement, with the Ligue 1 side turning their back on the £47m deal previously agreed between the two clubs.

Fernandez inherits De Bruyne’s shirt

Having sealed a move to the Etihad, Fernandez is now looking to inspire City to glory, and has been handed an iconic shirt number.

Less than 24 hours after his arrival, the Citizens confirmed the 25-year-old will wear the No.17 jersey.

He inherits the number from club legend De Bruyne, who vacated it last summer after a trophy-laden ten years at the club.

During that time, De Bruyne scored 108 goals and provided 177 assists in 422 appearances, as well as winning 17 trophies.

Before the Belgian great, winger Martin Petrov took ownership for three years until 2010, while Jerome Boateng, Michael Johnson and Jack Rodwell have all previously donned the shirt too.

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But with De Bruyne becoming synonymous with the jersey during his time at City, Fernandez has some way to go to live up to his legacy in Manchester.

The Argentine revealed the number carries personal significance when explaining his picking of the No.17 shirt.

He told Man City’s official website: “It’s a number I like.

“It embodies me. It was my first number in the national team, so I’m very happy to choose this number.”

While Fernandez cannot yet touch any of De Bruyne’s achievements in a City shirt, he heads to the Etihad as a proven winner.

The ex-Benfica star boasts 2022 World Cup glory with Argentina on his CV, while lifted the Conference League and Club World Cup trophies at Chelsea – winning both under new City boss Enzo Maresca.

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And Fernandez shared his delight at joining the Citizens and sealing a reunion with Maresca.

He said upon arrival: “Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well-run City are.

“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.

“I pride myself on continually improving my game. Anyone who’s 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’m here.”