“Finally” – Gianluigi Donnarumma issues emotional response to Erling Haaland’s welcome message | OneFootball

Manchester City’s newest recruit Gianluigi Donnarumma has responded to a welcome message issued to him personally by Erling Haaland on social media this week.

Donnarumma completed a sensational deadline day £26 million transfer to the Etihad Stadium this week, signing a five-year contract with the option of an additional year to bring an end to a month-long saga over his club future.

The Italy international’s long-drawn contract dispute with Paris Saint-Germain culminated in a public war of words and subsequent parting of ways, with Donnarumma axed from Luis Enrique’s squad after the signing of Lucas Chevalier from Lille.

City identified Donnarumma as an ideal replacement for Ederson – who continued to be linked with an exit from the Etihad Stadium into the final weeks of the transfer window – having already overhauled their goalkeeping department with the acquisitions of Marcus Bettinelli and James Trafford.

Personal terms were swiftly agreed between Manchester City and Donnarumma’s representatives, with the former AC Milan alluding to the excitement of working with Pep Guardiola upon completing his move to the Etihad Stadium.

However, a resolution on Donnarumma’s future was not reached until the final day of the transfer window, when City sanctioned the sale of Ederson to Fenerbahce for £12 million and progressed with a medical for Donnarumma.

Whilst on duty with the Italy National Team in his native country, Donnarumma completed a medical and his much-anticipated transfer to Manchester City was confirmed in the morning after deadline day – aligning with Ederson’s public announcement of his move to Turkey.

The international break has come at a good time for Pep Guardiola and co, who have suffered two defeats in their opening trio of Premier League games, with the fixture schedule not getting any easier upon their return to action in 10 days’ time – with games against Manchester United, Napoli and Arsenal on the horizon.

Whilst on international duty, Erling Haaland’s social media presence has given a peak through the curtain into the Norway international’s excitement over linking with City’s late recruit in the window, with the striker welcoming Donnarumma to his new club with a heartwarming message posted across his social media channels.

Haaland issued posts captioned ‘Welcome Gigio’ to the Italy international goalkeeper following his big-money switch from Paris Saint-Germain to Manchester City, with the superstar duo set to play together at club level after a major revamp of Guardiola’s first-team squad in the transfer window.

In response, sharing the post on his own Instagram story, Donnarumma said: “We will finally play together brother,” as Manchester City fans look forward to Donnarumma’s first appearance at the club – expected to come later this month.

Donnarumma is set to travel to England after the international break, with Guardiola presented with a choice between Manchester City’s most notable signing of the window and Trafford, who has started each of the Blues’ first three league games this term.