Elliot Anderson has not yet played a game for Manchester City, but he has already stoked the fires of the Manchester derby by branding his new club the “kings of Manchester” – a pointed declaration after snubbing neighbours United.
The 23-year-old completed his £116m move from Nottingham Forest on Thursday, becoming City’s record signing. Before Morgan Rogers’ £117m transfer to Chelsea was announced on Tuesday, Anderson’s fee had been the highest ever paid for a British player.
“Elliot Anderson called City 'kings of Manchester' after a £116m move, taunting United.”
Anderson, who started seven of England’s eight matches as they finished third at the World Cup, wasted no time in making clear why he chose the blue side of the city. “For as long as I’ve known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester,” he told City’s website. “They’re winners, they’re relentless, and that’s the sort of team I want to be a part of.”
The midfielder’s comments echo the infamous “Welcome To Manchester” poster that greeted Carlos Tevez after his switch from Old Trafford in 2009. United had spent months pursuing Anderson, but the player insisted they were wasting their time.
Anderson’s rise has been rapid. He came through the Newcastle academy and was sold to Nottingham Forest for £35m in July 2024 – a deal Newcastle manager Eddie Howe called “the most reluctant in my career” because of profit and sustainability rules. Last season, Anderson led the Premier League in touches (3,300), duels won (297), possessions won (306) and fouls won (80), while also completing more passes (2,038) and line-breaking passes (376) than any other central midfielder.
His former English and PE teacher at Valley Gardens Middle School, Jonathan Roys, recalled a precocious talent: “I think being the youngest of three he was used to getting bossed about a little bit, but he took no quarter off anybody. He’d get stuck right in.”
Anderson, who also had a Scottish grandmother and was once called up by Scotland before pledging allegiance to England, now becomes a key figure in City’s squad under new manager Enzo Maresca. He has signed a contract until 2031 and is already looking ahead to the first Manchester derby of the season on 13 September. “It’s one of the biggest derbies in the world,” he said. “I can’t wait to be involved.”
But for all his confidence, Anderson knows he still has room to improve. “I’m only 23, so I’ve got plenty of time to get to my best levels,” he said. “Now that I’m here, I’ll keep pushing and try to take this club forward.”
