Manchester City have completed the signing of England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a British record transfer worth £116 million, making the 23-year-old the most expensive British player in football history.
The deal surpasses the previous record of £115 million paid by Real Madrid to Borussia Dortmund for Jude Bellingham in 2023. It also represents Manchester City’s highest-ever transfer fee, with only Liverpool’s £125 million signing of Alexander Isak and the £116.5 million acquisition of Florian Wirtz ranking higher among Premier League clubs.
City confirmed the agreement in a statement on Thursday, noting that Anderson remains with the England squad at the FIFA World Cup after receiving permission to undergo his medical in Kansas between matches.
“Manchester City and Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement for the transfer of Elliot Anderson.
“Anderson, 23, is currently competing at the FIFA World Cup with England and has completed a medical in Kansas. The formalities of the move will be finalised upon his return to England.
“In the meantime, everyone at Manchester City wishes Elliot and the England squad the very best of luck in their World Cup campaign and we look forward to welcoming him to Manchester in due course,” the club said.
Anderson has been a key figure for England at the World Cup, starting all four of the team’s matches, and is expected to return to Manchester after the tournament to complete the remaining paperwork on the transfer.
The midfielder arrives at the Etihad Stadium following an impressive Premier League campaign with Nottingham Forest, where he featured in every league match. He started 37 games, scored four goals and provided four assists, while ranking among the division’s top five players for tackles and completed passes.
His arrival also marks the first signing of Manchester City’s new era under head coach Enzo Maresca, who recently succeeded Pep Guardiola.
Following England’s World Cup campaign, Anderson is expected to take a four-week break before linking up with his new teammates. As a result, he is unlikely to feature in City’s pre-season tour of Asia, with his competitive debut for the Premier League champions expected to come in the Community Shield against Arsenal on August 16.