Manchester City have completed the signing of Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth, securing the attacker on a long-term contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2031.
In a statement released on Friday, the Premier League champions confirmed that the 26-year-old winger had signed a five-and-a-half-year deal, marking a significant addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad.
“Manchester City are delighted to confirm the signing of Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth. The 26-year-old has penned a five-and-a-half-year deal, which will see him stay at the Etihad Stadium through to 2031,” the club announced.
Semenyo joins City after an impressive rise in the Premier League, having established himself as one of the division’s most dangerous attacking players during his spell at Bournemouth.
“Semenyo has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards,” the club said.
The Ghana international made 110 appearances for the Cherries after joining them midway through the 2022/2023 season, earning widespread admiration for his pace, power and direct style of play.
Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Semenyo began his professional career at Bristol City and gained further experience through loan spells at Bath City, Newport County and Sunderland before breaking into the Premier League. At Bournemouth, he mainly operated on the left side of an attacking midfield trio, performances that ultimately caught City’s attention.
Speaking after completing the move, Semenyo expressed pride at joining Guardiola’s side.
“I am so proud to have joined Manchester City. 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,” he said.
“They have set the highest of standards. 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 forward added that he believes his best football is still ahead of him.
“My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that. City are still involved in four competitions, and I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season,” he said.
“The Etihad is my new home. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans here and show everyone what I can do.”
City’s Director of Football, Hugo Viana, described Semenyo as the club’s top target during the January transfer window.
“Antoine is a really exciting signing for the football club. He made it clear immediately that City was where he wanted to be,” Viana said.
“He has huge quality — two great feet, pace, power, a habit of influencing games, and, importantly, real room for growth and development.
“We are constantly monitoring players around the world, and Antoine was the one we most wanted. He has already shown he can perform in the Premier League. He is humble, hard-working, professional and totally focused on improving. He is ideal for us.”
Semenyo will be available for immediate selection and is eligible to feature in Manchester City’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg clash against Newcastle next Tuesday.
Elijah Adeyemi
