Socceroos phenom Arzani signs for Man City, expected to join Celtic on loan
Young Socceroos phenomenon Daniel Arzani has signed for Premier League champion Manchester City on England's transfer deadline day.
Key points:
- Daniel Arzani was the youngest player at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
- Manchester City snap up Socceroos starlet through sister club Melbourne City
- Expected to join Celtic immediately on a loan deal as part of "development pathway"
Arzani — at 19 the youngest player at the recent FIFA World Cup — has transferred from A-League club Melbourne City, which is part of Manchester City's footballing family.
His performances off the bench for Australia at the World Cup caught the eye, and the reining English champions have snapped up Australia's biggest footballing prospect — who trained at City's football academy back in 2016.
Arzani is expected to immediately be loaned out to Scottish champion Celtic as part of a "development pathway", away from City's star-studded and fully-stocked squad.
He will join compatriot Tom Rogic at the Glasgow club, which has won the past seven straight Scottish Premier League titles.
"Having the chance to train and play in Europe is a dream come true and a challenge I'm confident will only help me improve as a player," Arzani said.
In a statement, Manchester City said it was delighted to see Arzani make the move.
"In a short period of time, Daniel has developed into one of Australia's brightest young stars and has demonstrated the drive and raw talent required for success at the highest level," City's managing director of global football Brian Marwod said.
"This pathway was first forged by Aaron Mooy just two years ago, and we are all delighted to see another Australian-grown talent make this move."
Arzani had broken through at A-League level at the tender age of 17 when he was promoted from Melbourne City's Y-League squad, before becoming a first-team fixture last season.
He follows in Socceroos playmaker Mooy's footsteps, who was snapped up by the City Group from Melbourne City in 2016, before being loaned out to Huddersfield Town — a move Mooy made permanent last season.
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