Football: Manchester City seal Danilo transfer on five-year contract from Real Madrid

Danilo reportedly joined Manchester City for a fee of around £26 million (S$46 million). PHOTO: REUTERS

ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Manchester City have signed defender Danilo from Spanish champions Real Madrid on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club said on Sunday.

The 26-year-old joined Real in 2015 and played 24 matches for Zinedine Zidane's side last season as they won the Spanish LaLiga title, sealed their second consecutive Champions League trophy and won the Club World Cup.

"I am very, very happy to be joining Manchester City," Danilo told City's official website (www.mancity.com).

"There has been strong interest from other clubs, but it has always been my ambition to play for Pep Guardiola. As soon as I heard of his interest, I knew immediately I wanted to be a City player.

"I can't wait to get started and I'm looking forward to getting to know my new team-mates over the coming weeks."

British media reports claimed the Brazilian right-back joined City for a fee of around £26 million (S$46 million), making him manager Guardiola's second major defensive signing in the current window following England right-back Kyle Walker's arrival earlier this month from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Danilo, who previously won two league titles in four years at Portuguese club FC Porto, will join his new team-mates in their pre-season US tour and could face his former club when City play Real on Wednesday.

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