“I’m really happy” – Manchester City star feeling at home after ugly exit from former club | OneFootball

Gianluigi Donnarumma feels he is in the prime of his career at Manchester City despite winning major trophies before moving to England in 2025.

The 26-year-old won the UEFA Champions League and a series of Ligue 1 titles at Paris-Saint Germain before arriving in England on the final day of the recent summer transfer window as one of City’s most exciting enrolments spearheaded by sporting director Hugo Viana. 

The Italian shot-stopper has adapted well to English football, having collected eight clean sheets in 18 Premier League games so far this season while garnering two from five games in Europe. 

Towards the end of 2025, Donnarumma won two of the most prestigious goalkeeper awards in world football – the Yashin Trophy and FIFA’s ‘The Best’ Goalkeeper award.

Despite all he has achieved in his career so far, Donnarumma believes the demands of being at a club like City and competing in the English top-flight have taken him to new heights.

In recent conversation with Manchester City’s official channels, he said: “It’s the best league in the world. When you watch from the outside the games are just fantastic, it’s beautiful to watch and to play in it – even more beautiful.

“Being here, being at City, being in the Premier League – I’m at the top at this moment in my career.”

Donnarumma arrived at the Etihad Stadium for £26 million and swiftly replaced fellow 2025 summer signing James Trafford as City’s undisputed number one. As it turns out, the Italian admitted that hearing positive evaluations of the club helped him decide to move to Manchester.

“I wanted to come here because everyone spoke well of Manchester City and the truth is that I’ve found a great family and I am very, very happy to be here,” Donnarumma added.

“There’s a real family environment and I’m really happy. I felt a strong interest and it flattered me. To be wanted so much by City and by a top coach like Pep Guardiola is just a source of pride. I am really happy and proud to be part of the City group and this big family.”

Largely to thank for Donnarumma’s warm welcome to Manchester is Erling Haaland, who has grown to be one of his closest friends in the dressing room; the pair often share jokes on social media and sit next to one another on the team plane.

Donnarumma has already proven his worth in big games and has arguably saved City from defeat in all three of the club’s most recent draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion.