Pep Guardiola claims Aymeric Laporte is ready to make an immediate impact in the Premier League with Manchester City.
Laporte has completed his club record £57million switch to City from Athletic Bilbao, signing a five-year deal, and Guardiola believes he can pitch him straight into action.
“Yeah,” said the City boss. “He’s fit. He played in the last period. Of course, he has to adapt.
“The Premier League is special in many senses. I think he’s intelligent. Always for the young players, it is a little bit tough, but he doesn’t come for three months, he comes for four or five years.
“He is a young player at 23, 24 years old. He is a left-footed centre-back and since a young age, he has played in La Liga on the biggest stages.
“He’s strong in the air, fast, quality with the pass. I’m so delighted and happy that the club have done it.”
City tried but failed to sign Laporte last summer, but Guardiola insists that the defender has come at the right time.
“At that time it was possible,” said Guardiola. “He decided to remain in Bilbao. We spoke with the club.
“We needed a centre-back in summer time, but we still have a lot of games to play and decided to try and bring him right now. Our summer window will be easier because it is done."
"I am very happy to be here. City are a club with a lot of ambition and they are one of the best teams in Europe," Laporte told City's official website.
"I am looking forward to working under Pep Guardiola and trying to help the club to achieve success.
"It means a lot that the club have shown faith in me and I am excited to get started."
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