Manchester City on Tuesday completed the signing of Portuguese defender Ruben Dias on a six-year deal from Benfica. Following in the footsteps of Ferran Torres and Nathan Ake, Dias is City’s third signing of the summer. The 23-year-old has made more than 100 appearances in three seasons for the Lisbon giants, with whom he won a league title in 2018/19 and has been capped 19 times by Portugal. Having developed a reputation as one of the most promising defenders in Europe, he says moving to City was an easy decision as he feels he is joining a club where he can improve and be successful.
“To have the opportunity to join a club like Manchester City is a fantastic opportunity for me. They have been the dominant team in England over the last few years, playing an attacking brand of football which I feel suits my own game,” Dias said in a statement. “It is really exciting to be part of such a talented squad and to play for a world-class manager like Pep Guardiola. I will give everything to be successful and win titles,” he added.
A product of the famed Benfica academy, which also developed new team-mates and compatriots Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo, Dias has already achieved a lot in his short career. Having helped the Eagles’ U19 team to the final of the UEFA Youth League in 2016/17, he made his first-team debut in a 2-1 defeat to Boavista in September 2017 and went on to make 29 appearances that season.
Also Read: IPL 2020: Rashid, Bhuvneshwar’s impressive performances drive SRH to their first win
He was voted the Primeira Liga’s best young player in 2017/18 and in the following campaign, he truly established himself at the heart defence, playing 55 times in all competitions and helping Benfica to a 37th league title.
Last season, Dias made 49 appearances and scored three goals as he was named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Season. The defender has also won team and individual honours at the international level.
Also Read: IPL 2020: Kohli and co enjoy pool, volleyball and karaoke night post face-off with MI
