Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has an individual trophy to savour after his first year in English football
Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma poses with an award given to him by the club's charity City in the Community for his work this season
Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma poses with his CITC award
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Gianluigi Donnarumma has been impossible to ignore at Manchester City. Aside from the fact he towers over most at 6ft4, you had a goalkeeper arriving on the last day of the summer transfer window seen by many as anything but a Pep Guardiola player here to relegate a homegrown academy product.
Add to that replacing a goalkeeper with one of the biggest impacts in City and Premier League history in Ederson, and it is far to say Donnarumma has and continues to divide opinion among the fanbase. His shotstopping hasn't been seen regularly at the Etihad since Joe Hart was in his pomp, but for a big man he is often found wanting at set-pieces and his passing has been targeted by opposition teams.
Having given City a number of big moments during the season - the save from Bryan Mbuemo on debut against United or the brilliant stop in injury-time at Anfield - the home match against Arsenal looked like being disastrous. The Italian dithered on a Matheus Nunes throw-in and Kai Havertz charged down his clearance and sent it straight into the City net for an equaliser.
However, Donnarumma not only recovered but made an important save in the second half and then played the ball intelligently through for Nico O'Reilly to set up the winner in City's biggest Premier League game of the season. At full-time, he was mobbed on the pitch by Pep Guardiola's right-hand man and then jumped into the crowd to celebrate with the fans.
At such times, it is impossible not to be carried away with Donnarumma. A man who wears his heart on his sleeve and is as animated as his Neapolitan upbringing suggests he should be wants to live every moment with everyone around him and celebrate victories with the people who support him.
This weekend sees the club celebrate its charity, City in the Community, and the local areas and people that club remain embedded in. As an outsider coming into the environment, Donnarumma has certainly felt the love whenever he has bumped into Blues.
“They’ve all been really nice. Whether it’s around the city or through City in the Community, the interactions have been great, and everyone has been so welcoming. You see passion they have for the club, and it makes you proud to represent them," he told the Manchester Evening News.
“That bond has been massive for me. The welcome I received from the fans was incredible and it helped me feel at home straight away. When fans show that belief and support, it gives you confidence and it really helps you settle in both on and off the pitch."
As much as Donnarumma has felt the warmth from City fans, he has also given back. Despite not being involved in official CITC events, the goalkeeper has gone out of his way to donate a number of personal items over the course of the season that have raised significant value for the charity.
The impact has been so significant that Donnarumma has been named as the the PFA Community Champions from City's men's team for the season - a rarity for a player in their first year at the club. While the former PSG shotstopper does not make a song and dance about this work, the club wanted to recognise him for the generosity that he has shown.
“From the moment I arrived at City, I could see how deeply embedded the club is in the local community," he added. "City in the Community do unbelievable work across Manchester and being able to support that was something I wanted to be involved in straight away.
“I wanted to make sure the items were meaningful and would genuinely benefit people. It wasn’t just about donating for the sake of it, but about choosing things that could help, bring some comfort or put a smile on someone’s face. If it can make even a small difference to someone, then it’s worth it.”