Manchester Evening News

It’s aguerooooo­o!

- By GEORGE SMITH

SERGIO Aguero was back at the Etihad as City unveiled a permanent statue of him outside the stadium – 10 years to the day since he scored the goal that secured the club its first-ever Premier League title.

The statue shows the Blues legend celebratin­g his iconic winner against QPR in the famous 3-2 win, in which he scored in second-half stoppage time to secure Roberto Mancini’s side top spot and deny cross-city rivals United.

City were trailing 2-1 as the contest entered its closing stages, but goals from Edin Dzeko and Aguero sparked unforgetta­ble scenes for the club.

Aguero said: “Truthfully, it is a very beautiful thing for me, to see myself ten years ago is very moving. In those ten years I was able to win a lot of trophies and was able to help the club become one of the most important in the world.

“I am very grateful to the club for making this statue in recognitio­n of my football career in Manchester. It is something very special.”

The statue, on the east side of the stadium, stands alongside those of former club captain Vincent Kompany and midfield star David Silva.

It was created by award-winning sculptor Andy Scott and made using thousands of welded pieces of galvanised steel.

The statue, which will be lit up at night, was made in Philadelph­ia, before being transporte­d to Manchester this month.

Aguero will go down as one of City’s greatest players. He is their all-time record goalscorer with 260 to his name.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Sergio Aguero’s contributi­on to Manchester City in a defining era for the club cannot be overstated. He is without doubt one of the greatest players that has ever played the game.

“When our fans think of Sergio, they are immediatel­y drawn to the iconic moment of 93:20 and the goal that secured the club’s first league title in 44 years, but as his record of 260 goals for the club demonstrat­es, his legacy and impact at Manchester City go far beyond that. It is only fitting that Sergio has been recognised with a statue of his own.”

 ?? ?? Sergio Aguero and sculptor Andy Scott at the unveiling
Sergio Aguero and sculptor Andy Scott at the unveiling
 ?? ?? Blue wonder... the Aguero statue outside the Etihad
Blue wonder... the Aguero statue outside the Etihad
 ?? ?? Aguero celebrates his landmark goal
Aguero celebrates his landmark goal

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