Gianluigi Donnarumma said he is ready to embrace the challenge of playing in the Premier League after sealing a transfer deadline-day move to Manchester City.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper completed a £30 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain on September 1, signing a five-year deal with the 10-time English champions. He spent his first days at the Etihad Campus this week following his international commitments with Italy.
Donnarumma, who lifted the Uefa Champions League and a fourth Ligue 1 crown with PSG last season, admitted the lure of testing himself in what he called “the best league in the world” was decisive in his decision to join Pep Guardiola’s side.
“This is a new chapter in my life and my career,” Donnarumma said. “Playing in the Premier League with Manchester City is a great emotion for me and I’m ready for this challenge.
“I’ve always dreamt about playing in the Premier League. For a player, I think achieving in this league is the maximum for his career. I’m really happy to be here. I’m willing to take to the pitch for this club, who tried so hard to sign me, and I hope I can pay that trust back.”
The Euro 2020 winner could be handed a debut as soon as Sunday, with City welcoming Manchester United to the Etihad Stadium. He spent Thursday meeting new teammates, familiarising himself with the training facilities and reflecting on what he hopes will be a trophy-laden spell.
“It’s a club that has always fascinated me,” he said. “You can’t tell what the values of the club are until you see it with your own eyes, and everything here is fantastic – the stadium, the training centre, the staff.
“I’m proud to be here and happy with the choice I’ve made. I hope I will make history and win as many trophies as possible.”
City endured a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, finishing third and surrendering their four-year grip on the Premier League title. Guardiola and new sporting director Hugo Viana have moved to refresh the squad, with Donnarumma seen as a statement signing to succeed Ederson, whose distribution defined City’s recent style of play.
“I’m focused on this new challenge,” Donnarumma added. “I want to become a symbol for the club, make the fans proud and win a lot of trophies together.”
While Donnarumma is in line to play against United, Guardiola faces a mounting injury crisis.
Omar Marmoush has been ruled out with a knee injury picked up during a recent World Cup qualifier with Egypt.
There are questions over the availability of John Stones, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rico Lewis, Nico O’Reilly and Abdukodir Khusanov, who all withdrew from international duty this week.
Rayan Cherki, Mateo Kovacic and Kalvin Phillips remain out, while Josko Gvardiol is yet to feature this season.
Phil Foden and Savinho missed the defeat at Brighton before the international break but could return at the weekend.
CHELSEA SQUAD
Arrizabalaga, Bettinelli, Rudiger, Christensen, Silva, Chalobah, Sarr, Azpilicueta, James, Kenedy, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Pulisic, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Werner, Havertz, Lukaku.
Top goalscorers in Europe
34 goals - Robert Lewandowski (68 points)
34 - Ciro Immobile (68)
31 - Cristiano Ronaldo (62)
28 - Timo Werner (56)
25 - Lionel Messi (50)
*29 - Erling Haaland (50)
23 - Romelu Lukaku (46)
23 - Jamie Vardy (46)
*NOTE: Haaland's goals for Salzburg count for 1.5 points per goal. Goals for Dortmund count for two points per goal.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
