Gianluigi Donnarumma reveals private Ederson moment after Manchester City deadline day transfers | OneFootball

The transition of Manchester City’s number one goalkeepers was met by a personal touch issued by Ederson to his successor in Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Donnarumma has established himself as the first name on Pep Guardiola’s teamsheet since his £26 million deadline day arrival to the Etihad Stadium from Paris Saint-Germain in the wake of an ugly parting of ways with the Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League holders.

The 26-year-old has clocked 30 appearances in all competitions for the Blues this term, comfortably usurping fellow summer signing James Trafford, a Manchester City academy graduate, as the number one goalkeeper.

City’s gradual rise as genuine title contenders after a slugging start to the 2025-26 campaign has come largely thanks to Donnarumma’s shot-stopping and assured presence between the sticks, with the Italy international producing a match-winning save right at the death of Manchester City’s historic 2-1 comeback win over Liverpool at Anfield earlier this month.

Manchester City have pivoted away from their patient build-up from the goalkeeper following Ederson’s departure to Fenerbahce in 2025, with Donnarumma proving that a safe pair of hands is as important, if not more, for the Blues if they want to enjoy a trophy-laden season whilst being at a nascent stage of their transition under director of football Hugo Viana.

Donnarumma has also shaken off any doubts over his supposed ineptness with the ball at his feet, slowly but surely adapting to Guardiola’s demands and growing in confidence in possession as he continues to exceed expectations in his debut season in England.

Manchester City remain in the running for silverware on four fronts in the business end of the season and while Guardiola may deem his side lacks an experienced core, Donnarumma’s ability to keep the Blues in games when they are not purring like usual can play a pivotal role in the Blues’ charge for trophies.

Speaking in a new wide-ranging feature with Manchester City’s official video channel, Donnarumma spoke of the relationship he has forged with Ederson since taking over the baton from City’s long-serving Brazilian goalkeeper.

“I’m in touch with the last Manchester City keeper (Ederson), who wished me the best of luck,” Donnarumma said.

“I’m glad I got this message because it’s important and always nice to receive messages like that from a former goalkeeper. It makes me very, very happy. He was an important keeper, an important keeper for Manchester City.

“We’re completely different. He plays very well with his feet. This was very important for his game. We’re often in touch, (we) have a good relationship. I was really happy he sent me that message when I landed (in England).”

Donnarumma is in the prime of his career and carries a wealth of experience like no other 26-year-old in world football, approaching 10 years in top-flight professional football as he brings his experience from Italy and France to the English top-flight amid a period of transition on and off the pitch for Manchester City.