Manchester City are delighted to announce the signing of Iliman Ndiaye on a five-year deal.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT:

Manchester City are delighted to announce the signing of Iliman Ndiaye on a five-year deal.

The 26-year-old Senegal international arrives at the Etihad Stadium armed with significant Premier League experience after two years at Everton.

Before that, he represented Marseille and shone in the Championship with Sheffield United during their 2022/23 promotion campaign.

He has also represented his country on 44 occasions, including at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.

An attacking threat who can play on the wing or through the middle, Ndiaye is two-footed and a source of creativity and goals.

Indeed, his dribbling ability has seen him garner a reputation as one of the most entertaining players in England’s top-flight.

And now he’ll take his place as part of Enzo Maresca’s reshaped City squad as we look to have a successful 2026/27 season.

“I’ve worked my whole life for an opportunity like this.

“City are one of the best clubs in the world and I’ve seen them win everything as I’ve grown up.

“To be able to write my own chapter in a story that special is the chance of a lifetime and I’m determined to grab it with both hands.

“It’s not always been easy in my career, but I always had the belief that I could play for a team challenging for the biggest prizes and now I’m here. It feels so good. 

“I love to play with the ball on the floor in an attacking team that wants to score as many goals as possible. That’s why I know this is the perfect fit.

“City fans can rest assured that I will give my all to bring more success to this incredible club.”

Director of Football Hugo Viana added: “Iliman is a very talented footballer.

“He’s had to work incredibly hard to reach this level and in my first conversation with him it was immediately obvious how grounded he is and the determination he has to be the best player he can be.

“I’ve no doubt City fans will get a thrill seeing him in action for us.

“We know this Club develops players. We make a commitment to every single player we sign that we will make them better footballers.

“I am really excited to see the level Iliman can reach in the years ahead because I know for sure working with Enzo and his staff is going ensure he becomes a top-class Premier League player.”

Special talent, boundless belief

Iliman Ndiaye catches the eye on the football pitch.

Few can match his skill and close control whether in tight spaces or one-v-one against elite Premier League defenders.

And while that showmanship is a key facet of what makes him an attractive prospect, it doesn’t tell the whole story.

Ndiaye’s route to the very top of the tree in European football has been unusual to say the least.

Born in France, he represented his hometown of Rouen at first before moving to Marseille in the south of the country and then on to Dakar in Senegal.

He then moved to London as a teenager and had trials with several of England’s biggest clubs but to no avail.

Instead, he joined non-League side Boreham Wood and made something of a name for himself on the Rising Ballers YouTube channel.

Son of a dancer and choreographer, it’s easy to see where his agility and flair came from.

Stepovers, flicks, seal dribbles galore. But under all that was a steely determination to carve out a professional career.

Eventually he was spotted by Sheffield United scouts and he had his big break.

In 2022/23, he was the Blades’ Player of the Year as they sealed promotion to the top-flight before he got his move back to Marseille, who he had followed since being there as a boy.

However, he was back in England 12 months later with Everton.

In his two years with the Toffees, he’s regularly had fans, pundits and opponents drooling of his command of the football while City fans may recall a special strike at the Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day 2024.

But now he’ll bring both that brilliance and dedication to City as he makes his latest step up.