Rayan Cherki

Flair and finesse

Rayan Cherki was Manchester City’s third signing of the summer of 2025, arriving on a five-year deal which keeps him at the Club until 2030.

Cherki was a product of Lyon’s academy and vastly experienced for his age having played 185 times for his boyhood club.

He made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in October 2019 and quickly made his mark, becoming Lyon’s youngest ever scorer with a strike in January 2020.

Later that season, he became the youngest player to feature in a Champions League semi-final when he was substituted on during Lyon’s tie with Bayern Munich.

The creative talent became a regular with the French side in 2022/23 and then became one of the standout players in Ligue 1.

In fact, his form in 2024/25 meant he was one of just two players outside of Paris Saint-Germain to feature in the division’s Team of the Season.

A winger or attacking midfielder who can dribble past an opponent or ghost into space, Cherki has an eye for an assist as much as finding the net himself.

Exceptionally two-footed, he’s capable of beating a man, putting a cross in or shooting from any angle.

He made a good impression in his first appearances for City during the FIFA Club World Cup, getting off the mark in both the goalscoring and assists columns.

And that start continued into his first season proper, contributing directly to 25 goals in 52 appearances while earning a nomination for the Premier League Young Player of the Season.

Date of birth2003-08-17

Birth cityLyon, France

Joined City2025-06-10

Rayan Cherki's

honours

25-26

25-26

Other Midfielders