Manchester City have completed the signing of Argentina international goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli from French club Marseille on a two-year contract, bringing the 34-year-old back to the Etihad for a second spell.
City confirmed the transfer on Wednesday, August 12, with the club stating that Rulli’s contract runs until the summer of 2028, subject to international clearance. Reuters also confirmed the agreement and reported that the goalkeeper is expected to operate as experienced backup to first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Rulli returns to Manchester almost 10 years after his first association with the club. City signed him in 2016, but he spent that season on loan at Real Sociedad and did not make a senior appearance for the English side. He subsequently returned to Spain before making the move to Real Sociedad permanent.
His second arrival comes after City lost James Trafford to Leeds United, leaving the Premier League club needing additional depth behind Donnarumma. Rulli’s experience across several European leagues provides an established option should he be required during the season.
“This is an amazing opportunity for me and one I had to grasp,” Rulli said following his return to the club.
The Argentine goalkeeper arrives with considerably more experience than he had during his first spell at City. Since leaving Manchester, he has played in Spain, France and the Netherlands, representing Real Sociedad, Montpellier, Villarreal, Ajax and Marseille.
Rulli enjoyed one of the most successful periods of his club career at Villarreal. He was the goalkeeper as the Spanish side won the 2021 UEFA Europa League, defeating Manchester United on penalties in the final. He later moved to Ajax before joining Marseille in 2024.
At international level, Rulli has been part of Argentina’s senior setup and was a member of the squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He was also part of Argentina’s successful 2024 Copa América campaign.
His move to City also reunites him with a club that has previously employed several Argentine internationals, including Sergio Agüero, Carlos Tevez, Pablo Zabaleta, Nicolás Otamendi and Julián Álvarez. City currently have another Argentine in their squad, Claudio Echeverri.
Rulli’s arrival is primarily a squad-depth move rather than a change in City’s goalkeeping hierarchy. Donnarumma remains the club’s expected first-choice goalkeeper, while Rulli provides competition and cover for the position as City begin preparations for the 2026/27 campaign.
The goalkeeper has also spoken positively about returning to the club and working under manager Enzo Maresca, saying he admires the team’s approach to football. He revealed that former City forward Julián Álvarez also gave his move his approval.