Manchester City have officially confirmed the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. The 23-year-old is currently representing England at the FIFA World Cup.
He has already completed his medical in Kansas, with the remaining formalities set to be finalised once he returns to England.
The move sees City complete a guaranteed £116 million deal for the midfielder, making Anderson the most expensive British player in football history.
The transfer surpasses the previous £105 million record set by Declan Rice and also eclipses Manchester City’s club-record £100 million signing of Jack Grealish.
Anderson arrives after an outstanding spell at Nottingham Forest, who signed him from Newcastle United for £35 million in 2024 to help the Magpies comply with Profit and Sustainability rules.
Forest have now secured a remarkable profit after agreeing to sell the midfielder just two years later. The England international enjoyed an exceptional 2025–26 campaign at the City Ground.
He started 37 Premier League matches, scored four goals and registered four assists while finishing among the league’s top five players for tackles and completed passes.
Anderson has also carried that form into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, providing an assist in England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia.
He also played the full 90 minutes in the Round of 32 win against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Manchester City confirmed the agreement in an official statement, saying:
“Manchester City and Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement for the transfer of Elliot Anderson.
“Anderson, 23, is currently competing at the FIFA World Cup with England and has completed a medical in Kansas. The formalities of the move will be finalised upon his return to England.
“In the meantime, everyone at Manchester City wishes Elliot and the England squad the very best of luck in their World Cup campaign and we look forward to welcoming him to Manchester in due course.”
Anderson becomes one of the first major signings of the Enzo Maresca era after Pep Guardiola stepped down at the end of the 2025–26 season.
City lifted another Carabao Cup during Guardiola’s final campaign, and the club have already backed their new manager as they begin reshaping the squad ahead of the new season.
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