After Haaland, City have signed another player from Dortmund

Manchester City have completed the signing of Manuel Akanji from Dortmund for £15.1 million.

Akanji, 27, has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad and will provide depth to a centre-back department that is currently beleaguered by injuries.

Aymeric Laporte is expected to be out for at least another month, while Nathan Ake has missed the last two games. City pounced on Akanji, who was in the final year of his contract, for a bargain fee.

The Swiss defender replaces outgoing club captain Fernandinho, who retired at the end of last season.

He is the sixth major signing of the summer transfer window and is expected to be Pep Guardiola’s final significant piece of business to bolster his squad.

City are believed to be pleased to have been able to get such value for a defender who ticks so many of the boxes that they look for.

Txiki Begiristain, the club’s sporting director, talked up the player as someone who can help the team in their two main aims of the Premier League and Champions League.

“Manuel has plenty of experience playing at the top level of European football and we are confident he will be a valuable addition to our squad,” he said.

“We have been impressed with his performances during his time at Dortmund, where he has developed into a very good defender and one who is ready to perform in both the Premier League and Champions League.

“He has everything we want in a centre-back. He is strong, quick, comfortable in possession, has an excellent passing range and he will complement the other defenders in this team and our style of play.”

Akanji has 41 caps for Switzerland and played a key role in their qualification for the World Cup.

“I am delighted to be here and can’t wait to get started. City have been one of the best teams in Europe over the last few seasons,” he said.

“They are brilliant to watch, play an exciting brand of football and compete for trophies year in, year out, so coming here feels like the perfect next step in my career.

“Pep Guardiola is an exceptional manager and this is an exceptional squad of players, so this is an exciting opportunity for me.

“I am really looking forward to testing myself in the Premier League and I will do everything I can to help this club be successful.”

Akanji has been registered to play in time for Saturday’s game with Aston Villa, although having not featured this season for Dortmund it remains to be seen whether he will be put straight into the squad after a few training sessions.