Elliot Anderson has signed with Manchester City from Nottingham Forest Credit: PA Images
Elliot Anderson has declared Manchester City the "kings of Manchester" after completing a £116 million move from Nottingham Forest.
The England midfielder's five-year contract was agreed earlier in July but finalised following his return from the World Cup.
Anderson, 23, said he was "over the moon" to be signing for "one of the biggest clubs in the world" and has his sights firmly set on winning trophies.
He said: "I can’t wait to play for this club, it’s a club built to win trophies and compete at the very top of the game. That is exciting for any footballer.
"I think they’re winners, they’re relentless, and that’s the sort of team I want to be a part of. Over the last 10, 12 years, they’ve dominated, so that’s why I wanted to join."
City are due to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on 13 September, with Anderson calling it "one of the biggest derbies in the world".
He said: "For as long as I’ve known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester. It’ll be a great fixture and I can’t wait to be involved in something like that."
Anderson started his career in the youth ranks at Newcastle - making 55 first-team appearances for the club - before earning the nickname ‘Geordie Maradona’ while on loan at Bristol Rovers.
He joined Nottingham Forest in 2024 in £35 million deal, playing 92 times for the reds.
Anderson was also a key member of Thomas Tuchel's squad in his first England call-up at the 2026 World Cup.
He said: "I’m only 23, so I’ve got plenty of time to get to my best levels,” he said. “I’m definitely not there yet and there’s more to come from me.
"I think I bring a bit of everything. I bring quality, I bring physicality, energy. I’d like to think I’d get the fans excited, get them off their feet and bring energy to the team."
The midfielder said this move is particularly special as he grew up idolising former City star Kevin De Bruyne.
He said: "I think Kevin De Bruyne is someone who I’ve hugely looked up to over the past seven or eight years.
"I’ve always wanted to play like him. I’ve watched him all the time and to be sat here in the team that he was doing it for is so special."
Anderson will join new manager Enzo Maresca's squad for pre-season training, with Manchester City Director of football Hugo Viana calling him "one of the outstanding young midfield talents in world football."
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