Marlos Moreno admits he was reduced to tears upon learning Manchester City fate | OneFootball

Ex Manchester City forward Marlos Moreno has explained the stunning series of events in the buildup to his transfer to the Etihad Stadium from Atletico Nacional in 2016.

Moreno joined the Blues from Colombian side Atletico Nacional in the summer of 2016, which marked the arrival of Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager and the ensuing of unrelenting success in the English top-flight.

However, things did not go as planned for Moreno at the Etihad Stadium as the 29-year-old never managed to break into the Manchester City first-team and heavily leaned on season-long loans across the board in search of his big break.

Deportivo de La Coruña, Girona, Flamengo, Santos Laguna, Portimonense, Lommel SK, KV Kortrijk were all clubs where Moreno tested his mettle on loan whilst at Manchester City before completing a permanent transfer to CFG-owned ESTAC Troyes in the summer of 2022

However, Moreno failed to make an impact at Troyes and is back playing in his native Colombia with Atletico Nacional, having recently reflected on his career-changing switch to Manchester City nearly a decade ago in an interview with Gol Caracol Benfica.

“I was there meeting with a Portuguese player, Ricardo his name was, because they wanted to take me to Benfica,” Moreno said, as quoted by Sport Witness.

“I was at home, about to sign with them. We had a meeting. They came looking for me, and just that night, the offer from Manchester City came in.

“If City calls you, who’s going to say no to that team? That day I cried with emotion, very grateful to God, for life, and with the hope of growing.”

Despite never making the cut at Manchester City, Moreno has recalled his time in England fondly and appreciated the support provided by club officials and former teammates to progress his career elsewhere.

“I have photos with them (Manchester City). I was there for two or three months,” Moreno added. “Went through training, worked there, did some work with the first-team and then with the U-20s because obviously they wanted to loan me out and I went to Deportivo La Coruña.

“I was very nervous seeing so many stars together. What a spectacle! I couldn’t contain my excitement, everything was impressive.

“The language was easy because everyone on the coaching staff spoke it (Spanish). Several players like (Sergio) Agüero, Danilo (Luiz) and (Yaya) Toure himself were fluent in Spanish. That helped me a lot; they made me feel good.”

CFG prospects signed by Manchester City are certainly not few and far between but it is testament to Moreno’s positive outlook on his career and time in England that he does not hold any regrets over not breaking into Guardiola’s thinking with his performances on loan.