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Player Manchester City Signed In 2017 Denied Work Permit For Second Season Running

Player Manchester City Signed In 2017 Denied Work Permit For Second Season Running

Much to the frustration of Pep Guardiola and City.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Manchester City midfielder Douglas Luiz is having to go on loan to La Liga club Girona for a second successive season following work permit issues.

The 20-year old signed a five-year contract in 2017 but headed to City's sister club last term, making 15 appearances in La Liga.

Pep Guardiola wanted him to be part of this season's squad, seeing him as an option to fill in for his fellow Brazilian Fernandinho, who is now 33. With Douglaz impressing in pre-season, City opted against bringing in a new defensive midfielder.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Yet the Blues have been left frustrated after Douglas was not granted a work permit and has therefore been forced to leave on loan. Celtic, Benfica and Fenerbahce were both touted as potential destinations but both clubs have confirmed the player will return to Catalonia for a second stint.


The former Vasco da Gama man becomes the third City player to head to Girona on loan, after Aleix Garcia and Patrick Roberts.

City's hope is that he will receive regular game-time and earn a call-up to Tite's Brazil squad - which would give him the all important work permit he desperately needs to break into the City side.

Image: PA
Image: PA

When news of his work permit rejection filtered through, Guardiola was furious with the decision and let rip.

"It's so difficult for me to understand," he said in a press conference at the start of the month.

"One guy who doesn't see the player or any training sessions every day has to judge if Douglas has the ability and quality to play. I accept the rules but I don't understand because anybody in the world can work wherever he wants.

"I would have preferred it if it wasn't announced yesterday. If they decide the rules are the rules, let me know 15 days ago and maybe we can decide what we can do."

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Football, Pep Guardiola, Brazil, La Liga