Gigio Donnarumma Makes Man City History as He Chooses Unusual Shirt Number
Gianluigi Donnarumma has officially completed his high-profile transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Manchester City on deadline day, ending weeks of speculation about his future. The 25-year-old Italian goalkeeper, long considered one of the finest shot-stoppers in world football, was deemed surplus to requirements at PSG following the arrival of Lille’s Lucas Chevalier earlier this summer. With his opportunities in Paris set to diminish, Donnarumma opted for a fresh challenge in the Premier League.
City, who were keen to strengthen between the posts after a shaky start to the season, moved quickly to secure his services for a reported fee of around €35 million. The move makes Donnarumma the seventh and final signing of the summer transfer window for Pep Guardiola’s side, joining Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, James Trafford, Sverre Nypan, and Marcus Bettinelli in what has been one of City’s busiest recruitment drives in recent years.
Speaking to the club’s official website after signing, Donnarumma could not hide his excitement at joining the reigning European champions:
> “To have signed for Manchester City is such a special and proud moment for me. I am joining a squad packed with world-class talent and a team led by one of the greatest managers in football history, Pep Guardiola. This is a club every player dreams of representing. I have admired City for many years, and to finally play here is a huge honour and privilege. I cannot wait to meet my new teammates, staff, and of course the fans. Playing at the Etihad will be very, very special for me. I promise to give everything I have to help the Club achieve even more success.”
A Unique Shirt Number
While Donnarumma is expected to immediately step into the starting goalkeeper role ahead of James Trafford, he will not be able to wear the traditional number one shirt he sported during his final year at PSG. Trafford currently holds that number, forcing the Italian to make a different choice.
Instead, Donnarumma has opted for a number that carries deep personal significance — the number 99. The shirt is a nod to his birth year, 1999, and one he famously wore throughout his breakthrough years at AC Milan. Remarkably, he becomes the first player in Manchester City’s history to wear the number 99 in competitive fixtures. He also donned it briefly at PSG before Ligue 1 regulations compelled him to switch to the number one jersey.
A Crucial Debut on the Horizon
City fans may not have long to wait before seeing their new star in action. Donnarumma could make his debut in one of the most high-stakes fixtures of the season — the Manchester derby against United on Sunday, September 14 at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola’s side have endured a difficult start to the 2025/26 campaign, losing two of their opening three league matches. Much of the criticism has been aimed at the defence, with questions raised about Trafford’s readiness to command the backline at this stage of his career.
The arrival of Donnarumma, a Euro 2020 winner with Italy and already boasting over 60 international caps, is seen as a decisive move to restore confidence at the back. His towering presence, remarkable reflexes, and big-game mentality could prove to be exactly what City need as they aim to defend their domestic crown and mount another challenge for Champions League glory.
For Donnarumma himself, the switch to the Premier League marks the beginning of a new chapter — one that offers the chance to test himself in arguably the most competitive league in the world, under one of football’s most innovative managers.