Manchester City have today completed the signing of Geronimo Rulli as the replacement for James Trafford.

Rulli arrives as City’s second first-team signing after Elliot Anderson, with the club paying about £1.7 million.

Speaking about the move, Rulli said (via mancity.com): “This is an amazing opportunity for me and one I had to grasp,” Rulli said. “When the chance to join Manchester City comes along you have to go for it.

We're delighted to confirm the signing of Gerónimo Rulli, subject to international clearance 🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 12, 2026

“Everyone knows what an impressive club this is. City’s success over a long time has been impressive. Everyone I have spoken to about City said I had to join them because they are a club with incredibly high standards.”

Rulli, of course, is fresh from winning the World Cup with Argentina, which is a nation that has been rather good to City in terms of players.

Amid City signing another, Manchester City News now ranks every Argentine who has graced the Etihad turf…

#10 – Bruno Zuculini

Many won’t remember him, but Bruno Zuculini was a midfielder who signed in 2014, and made just one official appearance in the Community Shield against Arsenal.

#9 – Maximo Perrone

City signed Maximo Perrone from Velez Sarsfield in 2023.

There were high hopes for him, but he only ended up making two first-team appearances, having a couple of loan spells away from the club. The second of those clubs was Como, whom he joined permanently in 2025. He will play Champions League football with them this season.

#8 – Claudio Echeverri

Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

Claudio Echeverri is another player there have been high hopes for, but he has yet to really kick on.

He didn’t make the most of a loan spell with Bayer Leverkusen last season, and – while he had some involvement in pre-season under Enzo Maresca – he is likely to head out on loan again this season.

Famously came on as a second-half substitute in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace while Jack Grealish was left on the bench by Pep Guardiola.

#7 – Martin Demichelis

He wasn’t the quickest player in the world, but Martin Demichelis was an underrated defender for City.

Picked up at the age of 32 for just £4.2 million, he surprisingly went on to make 102 appearances for the club, winning one Premier League title and two League Cups.

#6 – Willy Caballero

Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

Before Stefan Ortega, City had another clutch number two goalkeeper in the form of Willy Caballero.

Caballero is fondly remembered by City fans for his heroics in the 2016 Carabao Cup final against Liverpool. He saved three spot-kicks against the Reds.

After a shaky first 18 months or so at the club, Caballero became reliable when called upon and even had a stint as the number one when Claudio Bravo’s performances became a cause for concern.

#5 – Julian Alvarez

Julian Alvarez only had two seasons at City, which was a shame, because he is now one of the best strikers in the world.

He arrived from River Plate and had a tough role, essentially being the understudy to Erling Haaland, who was obviously going to play every game he was available for.

But Alvarez was brilliant when called upon, and scored 36 goals and made 19 assists in 103 appearances.

Ultimately, City simply couldn’t turn down the £81.5 million that was offered by Atletico Madrid.

#4 – Nicolas Otamendi

City have had some fantastic centre-backs, but it is perhaps forgotten just how good Nicolas Otamendi was.

The man nicknamed ‘The General’ was a real warrior at the back for City across five seasons at the Etihad, with the 2017/18 campaign easily his best. He was named in the Premier League Team of the Year for that campaign.

He had five years at the club, and was key in winning two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, four Carabao Cups and two Community Shields.

He was as tough as they came, and he could also play a bit as well.

#3 – Carlos Tevez

There was uproar from the red side of Manchester when Carlos Tevez swapped United for City.

The move was accompanied by a ‘Welcome to Manchester’ billboard that became infamous.

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Tevez scored pretty much a goal every two games for City, finding the net 73 times in 143 matches. He was also creative, laying on 33 assists.

His finishing was lethal, and his work-rate was relentless.

#2 – Pablo Zabaleta

Pablo Zabaleta is every inch a modern Manchester City legend.

He was the best right-back in the Premier League for a number of years, combining solid defending with attacking threat.

He was the ultimate professional and was very rarely injured, which saw him make 333 appearances for the club in total.

He and Vincent Kompany were two of the most important signings since the 2008 takeover.

#1 – Sergio Aguero

There could only ever be one name at the top of this list, and Sergio Aguero is indeed the best Argentine ever to play for Manchester City.

He had made waves at Atletico Madrid, so the excitement was real when City bought him in 2011.

With two goals on his debut against Swansea City, he immediately showed what he would be all about.

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Aguero went on to spend 10 seasons at the Etihad and broke all kinds of records, including the all-time goals record for City. He plundered 260 in 390 appearances for the club, and also had 65 assists to boot.

His injury record wasn’t the best, so he could easily have had even higher numbers.

There’s little doubt he’s City’s greatest-ever Argentine, and he’s also one of the best players ever to play in the Premier League, period.

Disclaimer – Former Man City youngster Pablo Maffeo was born in Spain...

Manchester City News

Message History

Delivery option(s)