Manchester City have kicked off the 2025/26 season with a bang, not only securing exciting new talent but also revealing the shirt numbers their latest signings will don at the Etihad Stadium.
As Pep Guardiola’s side gear up for a campaign aimed at reclaiming the Premier League crown and making waves in the FIFA Club World Cup, the club’s new additions have chosen numbers that carry both personal significance and historical weight.
The summer transfer window has seen City bolster their squad with a blend of youth, creativity, and defensive solidity. With the departures of veterans like Scott Carson and speculation around stars like Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne, the new signings are set to inject fresh energy into a squad hungry for silverware after a third-place finish last season.
Rayan Aït-Nouri, the dynamic left-back signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported £31 million, has claimed the No. 21 shirt—once worn by club legend David Silva.
Aït-Nouri’s pace and attacking flair are expected to challenge Josko Gvardiol and offer Guardiola new tactical flexibility.
Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, brought in from AC Milan, has taken the prestigious No. 4 shirt, famously worn by Vincent Kompany. His composure and vision could be key in filling the creative void left by De Bruyne’s rumored departure to Napoli.
French playmaker Rayan Cherki, signed from Lyon, will wear No. 29. The 21-year-old, lauded for his technical brilliance, is being tipped as one of the breakout stars of the season.
In goal, former Chelsea keeper Marcus Bettinelli inherits the No. 13 shirt and will serve as an experienced backup to Ederson and Stefan Ortega.
Brazilian prospect Vitor Reis, secured from Palmeiras for £29.5 million, has been handed No. 22, with City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, praising the defender’s quality and potential.
January arrivals also remain central to City’s plans. Abdukodir Khusanov (No. 45) and Omar Marmoush (No. 7) have settled into the squad, with Marmoush’s selection of the iconic No. 7—once worn by Raheem Sterling and João Cancelo—turning heads among supporters.
City’s shirt numbers carry historical weight. The No. 23 remains retired in honor of Marc-Vivien Foé, while the No. 1 shirt continues to go unused, with Ederson preferring No. 31 and Ortega sticking with No. 18. Other numbers, including 12, 15, 24, and 28, remain available as the transfer window remains open.
Speaking to the press, Guardiola acknowledged the anticipation surrounding the new squad: “These players bring hunger and quality. The numbers they choose are just the start—it’s what they do on the pitch that matters.” With City’s 27-man squad for the Club World Cup confirmed—excluding Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker—the spotlight is now on how these new signings will shape the club’s pursuit of glory.
As Manchester City prepare for their opening Premier League fixture and the global stage of the Club World Cup, the unveiling of these shirt numbers has set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling season at the Etihad. Whether these new stars can rise to the legacy of their numbers remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: all eyes will be watching.
Source: @ManCity on X.
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