Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a club-record fee just a day after the midfielder helped England beat DR Congo
Elliot Anderson has joined Manchester City
Elliot Anderson has joined Manchester City(Image: (Steph Chambers - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images))
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Manchester City have announced they have reached an agreement with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson. City struck a deal with the City Ground club last month and the midfielder received permission from the FA to undergo a medical in New York last week.
The England star will become a club-record arrival for City, who are paying a straight fee of £116million to land the 23-year-old. Anderson will sign a five-year contract at the Etihad and will add depth and quality in midfield following the departure of Bernardo Silva.
"Manchester City and Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement for the transfer of Elliot Anderson," City confirmed in a statement.
"Anderson, 23, is currently competing at the FIFA World Cup with England and has completed a medical in Kansas. The formalities of the move will be finalised upon his return to England.
"In the meantime, everyone at Manchester City wishes Elliot and the England squad the very best of luck in their World Cup campaign and we look forward to welcoming him to Manchester in due course. "
Anderson enjoyed a stellar year for Forest last season, which resulted in him becoming one of the hottest properties in world football. He attracted interest from various clubs, including Manchester United.
And although United were keen to sign the England international, Old Trafford chiefs did not want to pay the fee that Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was demanding. And the fee City will fork out eclipses the £100m they paid Aston Villa for Jack Grealish in 2021.
Due to his current World Cup commitments, Anderson is unlikely to travel on City’s summer tour to Asia. That means his debut could come in the Community Shield against Arsenal at the Principality Stadium in Cardiffon on Sunday, August 16.
The England star is Enzo Maresca's second summer arrival after a deal for rising star Mathys Detourbet from sister club Troyes. Anderson is currently in the US preparing for his side’s last-16 World Cup encounter against Mexico on Monday after they came from behind to beat DR Congo on Wednesday night.
Thomas Tuchel celebrates with Harry Kane, Elliot Anderson and Anthony Gordon following England's World Cup win over DR Congo
Thomas Tuchel celebrates with Harry Kane, Elliot Anderson and Anthony Gordon following England's World Cup win over DR Congo(Image: (Michael Reaves/Getty Images))
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Anderson started in midfield for the Three Lions as Harry Kane saved his side from one of their most embarrassing results in history, as two goals in the final 15 minutes earned a 2-1 win in the last-32 in Atlanta. Asked last week if transfer speculation was getting to him, Anderson said: "It's pretty easy really, I'm just focusing on the present, I'm blocking it all out.
"I've got a plan and it's to perform for England. I'm putting myself in the best position to cross the line and do that."
A member of the England team that won the 2025 Under-21 European Championship, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel described the midfielder as the 'full package' ahead of the World Cup getting underway. He said: “He’s a top player. There’s nothing more to say, he’s the full package. I’m happy that he’s with us on that kind of level and he’s a key player for us.”
Anderson joined Forest for £35m from Newcastle United in 2024 and made 92 appearances for the club, scoring six goals and claiming 11 assists. He helped Forest finish seventh in the Premier League in 2024/25 and then 16th last season, when they also reached the Europa League semi-finals.
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