Manchester City Reveal Julian Alvarez Shirt Number

Manchester City have unveiled the squad number of new signing Julian Alvarez, after the Argentine was officially confirmed by the club. 

The 22 year-old striker has completed an estimated £14 million transfer from River Plate to City.

Penning a five-and-a-half year contract with the reigning Premier League Champions. 

Alvarez, who’s move to the Etihad Stadium was initially announced in January, has featured in 24 matches for River Plate so far this season, scoring 17 goals and assisting on a further six occasions. 

The Argentinian striker will be the fourth new face to join Pep Guardiola’s squad this summer, after Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips and Stefan Ortega all completed transfers to the Sky Blues.

Alvarez is expected to arrive in Manchester this weekend, where the 22 year-old will be unveiled to supporters alongside new summer signings at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

City, who won the Premier League title for a second successive season playing predominantly without a natural striker, will now have two at their disposal ahead of the new campaign, with Europe and South America’s hottest goalscoring prodigies both Blues players. 

All of Guardiola’s squad, including new signing Alvarez, are expected to travel to the United States for pre-season this month, where the Sky Blues are due to play friendlies against Mexican side Club America and Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich. 

Should the South American forward feature, then the 22 year-old will be wearing the number 19 shirt, after Alvarez selected a squad number of personal significance. 

The 22 year-old has previously worn the number 9 shirt for both River Plate and Argentina, but City Xtra exclusively reported last week that Gabriel Jesus’ former number will be inherited by Erling Haaland. 

Leroy Sane, Samir Nasri and Joleon Lescott are all former holders of the 19 shirt, and Alvarez has also revealed the personal reason behind the number. 

Speaking during his first interview with the club, Alvarez said: “I have been using the number nine until now and I wanted the number nine to be on my shirt. 

“And it is also an important date, because the 19th was my grandmother's birthday.”

Manchester City kick off their new campaign against Liverpool in the FA Community Shield at the end of the month, while the Blues’ Premier League title defence begins one week later, away to West Ham United at the London Stadium. 

Meanwhile, City’s clash with newly promoted Bournemouth on Saturday 13th August at the Etihad Stadium, may provide the 22 year-old his home debut.

Alvarez can also be expected to make his UEFA Champions League debut in the near future, with the Group Stages starting in September.