It’s now official as Manchester City confirm the signing of Elliot Anderson | OneFootball

Elliot Anderson is now a Manchester City player. City have confirmed the signing of the England international on their official website today. Anderson’s signing is the first of the Enzo Maresca era and Anderson will bring immense quality, work rate and energy to Manchester City’s midfield.

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

It was expected that Manchester City would confirm the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest sometime this week. The official confirmation of Elliot Anderson’s signing has arrived today. A short statement on Manchester City’s official website has confirmed that Anderson is now a City player. As per Manchester City’s statement, the formalities of Anderson’s move to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup will take place when Anderson returns to England. Anderson is currently playing a key role for England at this summer’s World Cup.

David Ornstein has previously reported for The Athletic that Manchester City will pay Nottingham Forest £116 million to sign Elliot Anderson. Anderson is now Manchester City’s record signing. Anderson’s signing eclipses the £100 million that City paid to sign Jack Grealish from Aston Villa. Also, Elliot Anderson is now the most expensive British player in history. Jude Bellingham was the most expensive British player when he signed for Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund for £115 million. Anderson has now taken Jude Bellingham’s place at the top of that particular list.

Manchester City have added the attributes they desperately needed in midfield by signing Anderson.

Last season saw Elliot Anderson establish himself as one of the premier midfielders in the Premier League. He had a superb season for Nottingham Forest, and as the 2025-26 season progressed, it was clear to see that Anderson was destined for a move to a big club. Anderson made 50 appearances in all competitions for Nottingham Forest last season. He scored four goals and added five assists. However, those numbers don’t begin to tell the story of why City were so eager to sign Anderson. Anderson will bring attributes that City desperately need in midfield.

Elliot Anderson is elite at winning duels and possession. This ability of Anderson’s is exactly what Manchester City’s midfield needs. Anderson has the physicality and speed to cover the pitch. City have lost Bernardo Silva, who did the grunt work for Pep Guardiola’s side last season. By signing Elliot Anderson, City have found an instant replacement for Bernardo. However, Anderson is a different type of player to Bernardo. The England international can dominate the physical battle in midfield and he will add another dimension to Manchester City’s midfield.

In possession, Elliot Anderson is elite at breaking the lines with his passing. This has stood out at this summer’s World Cup as Anderson has played a key role for England at the tournament. It was clear to see during Anderson’s performances for Nottingham Forest. Anderson’s ability to play the ball in behind an opponent’s defence should also greatly aid Erling Haaland. Anderson is also an elite dribbler. He powers through the midfield with the ball at his feet, and this will be a weapon that Manchester City will utilise.

You also sense that Elliot Anderson will add more goals and assists to his game playing in an Enzo Maresca side. City tend to dominate possession and this likely won’t change with Maresca as a manager. Due to this, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Anderson get forward more often and to see him score more often and set up chances and goals. Elliot Anderson will likely partner Rodri in City’s midfield and this midfield pairing has the potential to become a dominant force.

Final thoughts.

Manchester City have now confirmed the signing of Elliot Anderson. They have signed a 23-year-old midfielder who is firmly established as one of the elite midfielders in the Premier League. Anderson looms as a key player for Enzo Maresca’s side and if he continues to develop as a player, he could become one of the pre-eminent midfielders in European football at Manchester City.