Donnarumma Opens Up on City Switch

The Italian shot-stopper found himself surplus to requirements under Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain, prompting City to secure his services for £26million on transfer deadline day, just weeks after signing James Trafford from Burnley.

The move raised eyebrows given Donnarumma's instrumental role in PSG's treble-winning campaign last term, which included their maiden Champions League triumph.

"My intentions were crystal clear - this was where I wanted to be," Donnarumma explained. "No other destination crossed my mind. City was my sole focus, my only ambition."

The 26-year-old revealed the groundwork for his switch had been laid months earlier, with Pep Guardiola's persistence proving decisive.

"City's interest became apparent before the summer, but things intensified following the Club World Cup," he said. "Knowing the manager was championing my arrival meant everything. The warmth shown by everyone here filled me with immense pride. There was no hesitation on my part."

Donnarumma's Premier League bow could hardly have gone better. A commanding clean sheet performance in the 3-0 Manchester derby victory showcased exactly why Guardiola pursued him so relentlessly. His stunning denial of Bryan Mbeumo's effort drew immediate acclaim from teammates, notably Erling Haaland.

"Beyond being an extraordinary footballer - arguably the finest on the planet - Erling possesses remarkable character," Donnarumma observed. "That combination elevates him further. Our bond formed instantly upon my arrival."

The Italian captain described feeling immediately at home despite his brief tenure at the club.

"The reception I received suggests I've been here for years rather than weeks," he reflected. "Football teams must operate like families. When a teammate produces a crucial save, everyone should celebrate as passionately as scoring a goal. Unity remains paramount. Our derby triumph demonstrated our collective ambition to reach even greater heights."

Thursday brings a particularly poignant fixture as City host Napoli in the Champions League, Donnarumma's hometown club from his native province.

His journey began at AC Milan aged 14, where he broke through two years later to become Italy's third-youngest goalkeeper to start a senior match. After 250-plus appearances for the Rossoneri, he departed for PSG in 2021 on a free transfer, accumulating four Ligue 1 titles, the European Cup, and two Coupes de France.

Antonio Conte's Serie A champions will provide stern opposition, something Donnarumma readily acknowledges.

"This represents a challenging examination," he admitted. "Napoli holds special meaning for me - countless friends and family remain there. Thursday's encounter fills me with anticipation, though playing at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona would have added extra spice."