Manchester City Defender Has Quit The Club After Zero League Appearances In Over Three Years

Philippe Sandler has quit Manchester City or Dutch side Feyenoord after failing to make a single Premier League appearance in three-and-a-half years.

The central defender arrived from PEC Zwolle in 2018 for a fee of around £3 million and he's had a number of loan moves since.

He spent the first half of this season on loan at French outfit Troyes but made just two starts all campaign.

Sandler wasn't satisfied with his game time and has been allowed to leave City for free and join Feyenoord on a six month deal.

If the 24-year-old impresses then he'll have his deal renewed.

The Netherlands U20 international was allowed to leave after Monday's transfer deadline as City released him from his contract.

Sandler made his City debut in a 7-0 FA Cup victory over Rotheram back in 2019 but he'd feature just one more time at the Etihad.

He'd spend the following campaign on loan at Anderlecht, who are managed by City legend Vincent Kompany.

Last season saw Sandler sidelined with an ankle injury and he'd play no first-team football for anyone, being limited to academy appearances.

Feyenoord sporting director Frank Arnesen is pleased with the signing and hopes Sandler can get his career back on track.

He said per Manchester Evening News: "The Netherlands is familiar territory for Philippe.

"Due to his years abroad, he comes back as a more experienced player.

"In addition, he has become physically stronger. We expect that he as a player and we as a club will benefit a lot from that.

"We had to look very specifically and creatively in this transfer window at how and in which positions we could strengthen the selection – taking both the short and long term into account.

"The fact that we managed to bring in a pure central defender as a reinforcement just before the transfer deadline is very nice and makes us less vulnerable in that line too."

City are well stocked in central defence with Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Nathan Ake.

Pep Guardiola's side are currently top of the Premier League by nine points.

City return to action against Fulham in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.