Ghana winger completes move to the Etihad Stadium as he agrees a five-and-a-half-year contract
Manchester City have completed the signing of winger Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth on a five-and-a-half-year contract.
It is also a club-record sale for Bournemouth, as Semenyo departs after three years on the south coast. He will wear the No 42 shirt at Man City.
Semenyo holding Man City shirt new version
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Semenyo had been at the centre of ongoing media speculation about his future, with clubs including Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur all linked with the 26-year-old.
Man City won the race to secure Semenyo’s signature, adding further firepower to their rich array of attacking options including prolific striker Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush and Jeremy Doku.
Semenyo, with 10 goals in 2025/26, is third in the race for the Premier League’s Golden Boot, led by his new team-mate Haaland, who has netted 20 goals in 21 Premier League appearances this season.
Watch: Semenyo’s farewell message
What did Semenyo say?
“I am so proud to have joined Manchester City,” Semenyo said on the club’s website.
“I have watched City over the last decade under Pep Guardiola, and they have been the dominant team in the Premier League as well as achieving amazing things in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.
“They have set the highest of standards and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep.
“I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.
“The Etihad is my new home. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans here and I hope to show everyone what I can do.”
A side view of Antoine Semenyo looking at the camera as he signs for Manchester City
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Semenyo’s career so far
His journey to professional football did not take the traditional route – playing at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College’s football academy where he alerted the attention of Bristol City.
Although he made his debut for Bristol City on the final day of the 2017/18 campaign, Semenyo joined Newport County on loan at the start of the 2018/19 season, scoring six goals in 32 appearances before being recalled by his parent club in January 2019.
The experience gained at Newport stood Semenyo in good stead, and he blossomed into one of the Championship’s most feared attackers, with his pace, power, flair and eye for goal producing 21 goals in 125 appearances, while creating countless other scoring opportunities.
Bournemouth signed the skilful attacker three years ago this month, and he quickly adapted to playing at a higher level, featuring 11 times in his first season with the Cherries and scoring his first Premier League goal in a 4-1 win over Leeds United
Semenyo really came to the fore in 2023/24, showing his versatility across the Cherries’ frontline as he provided 10 goal involvements (eight goals, two assists) including a memorable brace in Bournemouth’s sensational 4-3 win over Luton Town, which won the 2023/24 Oracle Most Improbable Comeback award.
Last season he played 44 times for club and country, scoring 14 goals and helping Bournemouth to a ninth-place finish, the club’s highest-ever in the Premier League, with a club-record 56 points.
Overall, Semenyo has 28 goals and 10 assists in 97 Premier League appearances for the Cherries.
Collage of photos showing Antoine Semenyo in the shirts of Newport and Sunderland and Bristol City and Bournemouth and the tracksuit of Manchester City
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When could Semenyo make his debut?
Semenyo could make his debut on Saturday 10 January when Man City host Exeter City in the FA Cup.
After then travelling to Newcastle United in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday 13 January, Man City then take on rivals Manchester United on Saturday 17 January in the Premier League.