Anderson joins City

Manchester City are delighted to confirm the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

Men's Team

Anderson relishing Maresca link-up

The England international has agreed a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.

The 23-year-old began his career with Newcastle United before moving to Forest in 2024 and quickly becoming a key figure at the City Ground.

A highly energetic box-to-box midfielder, Anderson’s tough tackling and creative passing has made him one of the Premier League’s standout young talents.

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He makes the move to City after missing just one Premier League game in the last two campaigns and cementing his place in Thomas Tuchel’s England plans.

With 174 senior appearances in club football and seven international caps, Anderson also has experience far beyond his age.

Picture Special

Gallery: Welcome Elliot Anderson! 

Speaking after putting pen to paper, Anderson said:

“City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the squad they have is amazing - so strong in every position. As soon as I knew they wanted me, I was absolutely determined to make this move happen.

“As a footballer, you want to test yourself at the highest level. Being at City means I have that opportunity.

“From the outside looking in, City are a club that treats its players well and provides the perfect environment to excel. The success they have had and the way they have played the game in the last 10 to 15 years has been extraordinary. It’s a privilege to be given the chance to be part of that.

“As soon as I arrive in Manchester after a break, I will be doing everything I can to establish myself in the City team.

“It’s a club built to win trophies and compete at the very top of the game. That is exciting for any footballer.

“I am so happy to have been given this opportunity, and I am determined to repay the faith City have shown in me.”

Director of Football Hugo Viana added: “Elliot is one of the outstanding young midfield talents in world football right now.

“He offers energy, outstanding work rate and an exceptional range of passing. His improvement in recent years has been really impressive and underlines his desire to be the best player he can be.

“At just 23, there is plenty of opportunity for development over the coming years and we feel he can become a complete midfielder. Manchester City is the best place for him to develop his game and keep improving, we are glad that he sees things the same way as we do.

“I look forward to seeing Elliot working with us ahead of the new season. I’m sure every City fan is excited to see what he can do.”

Tireless

The first thing an observer may notice about Anderson is his outstanding work ethic.

With 411 kilometres run in total, only one player covered more ground in the 2025/26 Premier League than our new signing.

And having appeared in every single league game for Forest last term, the 23-year-old is always there to put in the hard yards for his team.

A total of 104 tackles, the fourth most in the Premier League, again shows a grit that few can match.

After adding a Europa League semi-final run and international football into the mix in the last 12 months, Anderson has proven his ability to maintain consistency even amid the elite game’s relentless schedule.

It’s testament to his impact in and out of possession that despite only making his England debut in September 2025, Anderson was always nailed on to make this summer’s World Cup squad.

But those running and tackling stats that immediately catch the eye mask an eye for a pass, a burst of speed and clean strike of a ball that have been all the hallmarks of many a Premier League great in the engine room.

2025/26 saw him have more touches of the ball than anyone else in the division with 3,300 while ranked as the top midfielder in terms of completed passes with 2,080.

That highlights his mind for composed possession that was our style even well before Pep Guardiola’s iconic reign began – a style our midfield group remains well suited to despite the Catalan’s departure.

Even still, there’s an eye for popping up in the final third whether it be an assist or goal when it matters.

City fans will most likely remember his fine curling strike in March’s Etihad clash with Nottingham Forest that earned the visitors a point.

That was the outstanding moment as he directly contributed to eight Forest goals in their league campaign.

It encapsulated everything he brought to their team over two seasons in which he became an undoubted fan favourite.

Two years after arriving at Forest as a 21-year-old from boyhood side Newcastle in a transfer that Magpies boss Eddie described as ‘very painful’ for the club, he now moves on with his reputation significantly enhanced.

Before he touches down in Manchester, Anderson will now spend a summer in North America as part of an England camp that includes new team-mates Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly and James Trafford as well as City legend John Stones.

To succeed there, he’ll likely have to come up against one or more of his future midfield peers including Rodri, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders or Mateo Kovacic.

A truly exciting time for our new man, who will now set about showing the world his talents on the biggest stages possible.

Season-by-season stats 

Newcastle United

2020/21: Two appearances

Bristol Rovers (loan)

2021/22: 21 appearances, seven goals

Newcastle United

2022/23: 27 appearances

2023/24: 26 appearances

Nottingham Forest

2024/25: 42 appearances, two goals

2025/26: 50 appearances, four goals