Manchester City have announced the signing of new goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
The 29 year-old has complete a move from Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld on a free transfer.
The German goalkeeper, who made 33 Bundesliga appearances, completed 125 saves - ranking himself higher than many other goalkeepers in the German top-flight during the 2021/22 campaign.
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Ortega also ranked amongst the highest in save percentage and goals prevented statistics.
The impressive number do not stop there, with the player also completing the most passes in the division despite Bielefeld’s relegation to the second tier of German football.
Zack Steffen’s imminent season-long loan move to Middlesbrough, as the 27 year-old seeks to guarantee a starting spot for the USMNT at the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar this Winter, led to the Premier League Champions entering the market for a new goalkeeper.
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Ederson, who won a third successive Golden Glove during Manchester City’s latest Premier League title triumph, is now set to be challenged for the number one spot by Ortega.
The German shot-stopper penned a three-year deal, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until at least 2025.
It has been revealed that Pep Guardiola’s newest recruit, who could make his competitive debut in the FA Community Shield against Liverpool on July 30th, will wear the number 18 shirt for the reigning Premier League Champions, as the club enjoy record sales of their new 2022/23 home shirt.
Despite it being available and it being his squad number at his former club, Ortega has opted not to take the number one jersey.
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This now means that football's iconic goalkeeper number was last worn by Claudio Bravo and Manchester City legend Joe Hart at the Etihad Stadium.
The squad number 18, which has not been used since Fabian Delph’s departure from the club, has in the past also been worn by midfielders Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry.
Shirt numbers for the Sky Blues’ summer signings have been hotly debated in recent weeks, and City Xtra exclusively reported recently that Erling Haaland will become the club’s new number 9 - following Gabriel Jesus’ £45 million move to Arsenal.
Meanwhile, fellow striker Julian Alvarez, who is set to join up with the City first-team squad for pre-season, has chosen a number that will ‘surprise’ supporters, a source close to the player told City Xtra.
Manchester City are due to travel to the United States in July for pre-season friendlies against Mexican outfit Club America and Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich.
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Ortega, and all of City’s new signings are expected to be a part of the travelling squad to the USA, with Kalvin Phillips and potentially also a new left-back flying stateside prior to the start of the new season.
Featured Image Credit: Manchester City / ManCity.comTopics: Stefan Ortega, Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Premier League, Football, Transfers
