Nolito’s spell at Manchester City comes to a close as Sevilla swoop
City’s director of football Begiristain has big hopes for new Brazilian Douglas
Sevilla has reached a deal with Manchester City to acquire forward Manuel “Nolito” Agudo.
The Spanish club said that Nolito will sign a three-year contract with the Andalusian club that finished fourth in the Spanish league last season.
Nolito will reunite with manager Eduardo Berizzo, who coached the forward for two of his best seasons while at Celta Vigo. Berizzo became Sevilla’s manager this offseason.
Nolito’s arrival comes days after the exit of forward Victor “Vitolo” Machin, who has joined Las Palmas for a short stint before a planned move to Atletico Madrid in January.
The 30-year-old Nolito spent one season at City. Previously, he had played for Spanish clubs Celta, Barcelona and Granada, as well Benfica in Portugal.
He has scored six goals in 16 appearances with Spain, who he represented in last summer’s European Championship.
Sevilla did not reveal the cost of the transfer.
The departure of Nolito comes as City signed Brazil Under-20 midfielder Douglas from Rio de Janeiro giants Vasco da Gama.
The 19-year-old will be tied to City for the next five years, though he is expected to be loaned to City’s sister club Girona in Spain in his first year, reports Xinhua news agency.
According to media reports in Brazil, City paid €12 million (Dh50.5 million) for the teenager, making the deal the most expensive in Vasco’s history.
“We wish [Douglas] the best of luck with the move ... and hope that he shines in European football,” the Brazilian club said in a statement.
Douglas made 39 first-team appearances for Vasco after being promoted from the club’s youth academy last year.
He is the second Brazilian to join Manchester City in less than a year after the arrival of striker Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras in January.
“We are pleased to welcome Douglas. He is an exciting player with great potential, and everyone here is looking forward to helping him develop his talent and progress in the game,” City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain said.