---
title: "Second chance for a legend: Manchester City brings back Gerónimo Rulli from Marseille for a symbolic fee"
description: "🇦🇷 Manchester City brings back Gerónimo Rulli! 🏴 The 34-year-old Argentine moved from Marseille for £1.7 million. Rulli will be Donnarumma's backup following Trafford's departure. 🧤 🏆 2022 World Cup champion and 2021 Europa League winner with Villarreal is back in England. #ManCity #Rulli #Transfer #Football"
date: 2026-08-08T10:12:04.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/manchester-city-rulli-transfer-marseille-en
tags: [manchester-city, geronimo-rulli, transfer-news, premier-league, argentina]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Second chance for a legend: Manchester City brings back Gerónimo Rulli from Marseille for a symbolic fee

![Goalkeeper Jerónimo Rulli in Argentina national team training kit in front of goal net — legend’s return to Manchester City](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/08/manchester-city-rulli-transfer-marseille/manchester-city-rulli-transfer-marseille-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Manchester City signed Gerónimo Rulli from Marseille for £1.7 million.
- Rulli will become the backup to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
- The deal became possible after the sale of James Trafford to Leeds.
- The goalkeeper is a 2022 World Cup champion and 2021 Europa League winner.

### Return to Manchester: Rulli back at City

Manchester City has officially agreed to the transfer of 34-year-old Argentine goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, who plays for French side Marseille. The experienced shot-stopper has signed a two-year contract with the reigning English champions. The deal is valued at a symbolic £1.7 million, representing a highly advantageous transaction for Pep Guardiola's club in the context of the modern transfer market.

### Role as backup and the departure of James Trafford

This marks Gerónimo Rulli's second stint within the Citizens' structure. During the 2016/17 season, he was part of the club but did not make a single appearance for the first team, spending time on loan. This time, his recruitment is more specific: Rulli will serve as the direct backup to the team's primary goalkeeper, Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma. The need to strengthen the goalkeeping line arose following the departure of the previous backup, James Trafford, who moved to Leeds this week for a substantial £45 million.

### Colossal experience and decisive moments

Rulli possesses colossal European experience, having played for clubs such as Real Sociedad, Montpellier, Ajax, and Villarreal. He is best known to Ukrainian and global fans for his time with the "Yellow Submarine." It was with the Spanish club that the Argentine became the hero of the legendary 2021 Europa League final against Manchester United. In a marathon penalty shootout, Rulli first scored the decisive penalty himself and then saved David De Gea's attempt, securing a historic trophy for the team.

### Titles with the national team

As part of the Argentina national team, the goalkeeper has played 8 matches, winning two of the modern era's major trophies. Gerónimo Rulli won the World Cup title in 2022 and also won the Copa América in 2024. Despite competition with Emiliano Martínez, Rulli remains a key reserve player for the national squad, confirming his high professional level.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Man City agrees to Anderson transfer. Nottingham could receive up to £130m for the midfielder](https://www.sports.ru/football/1117267442-man-siti-soglasoval-transfer-andersona-nottingem-prinyal-uluchshennoe-.html) - Подтверждено по источнику sports.ru
- [Manchester City preparing record transfer. Details](https://www.sports.kz/news/manchester-siti-gotovit-rekordnyiy-transfer-podrobnosti) - Подтверждено по источнику sports.kz
- [Anderson transfer to Manchester City could be the most expensive in Premier League history](https://news.mail.ru/politics/71409600/) - Подтверждено по источнику news.mail.ru
- [Record transfer in England? EPL runner-up signs desired target, - Romano](https://www.ua-football.com/foreign/england/1782420830-rekordnyy-transfer-v-anglii-vice-chempion-apl-podpisal-zhelannuyu-cel-romano.html) - Подтверждено по источнику ua-football.com

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What is the transfer fee for Gerónimo Rulli?
**A:** The transfer will cost Manchester City £1.7 million.

### Q: Who will Rulli replace at Manchester City?
**A:** He will become the backup to Gianluigi Donnarumma, replacing James Trafford who left for Leeds.

### Q: Has Rulli played for Manchester City before?
**A:** Yes, he was part of the club's structure in the 2016/17 season but did not play for the first team.