Manchester City have confirmed the signing of England international centre-back Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace in a deal worth an initial £20 million, with further performance-related add-ons included. The 25-year-old defender has agreed to a five-and-a-half-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2031.

Guéhi completed his move after arriving in Manchester on Sunday to undergo medical tests and finalize personal terms. While he will not be eligible for City’s upcoming Champions League fixture against Bodo/Glimt, the defender could make his debut in the Premier League clash against Wolves at the Etihad on Saturday.

Speaking after the announcement, Guéhi said he was “really happy and incredibly proud” to join the reigning champions, describing the transfer as the culmination of years of hard work. He added that the opportunity to continue his development within City’s squad was a special moment for both himself and his family, and expressed eagerness to begin training and adapting to the manager’s expectations.

City’s pursuit of Guéhi was accelerated by a recent run of defensive injuries, with several senior centre-backs sidelined. Club sources indicate that the former Chelsea academy graduate had already been identified as a priority target, particularly with uncertainty surrounding his long-term future at Selhurst Park. Guéhi captained Palace and made 188 appearances for the club after joining from Swansea in 2021, establishing himself as one of the league’s most reliable defenders.

The signing represents City’s second addition of the January transfer window, following the earlier arrival of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth. Both players are expected to be registered for the knockout stages of the Champions League, reinforcing Pep Guardiola’s squad depth during a congested fixture schedule.

City officials believe Guéhi’s decision to commit his prime years to the club, despite interest from rival sides, reflects the appeal of their long-term sporting project. Director of Football Hugo Viana praised the defender’s consistency, noting that Guéhi has been among the standout performers in English football and is now entering the peak of his career.