What shirt number will Savinho wear for Manchester City and who else has worn it previously?

Manchester City’s Savinho has selected his brand new shirt number for the Premier League champions, having finalised his transfer to the Etihad Stadium this week.

The reigning English top-flight champions kicked their summer transfer business into life on Thursday by finalising and announcing the arrival of Brazil international Savinho in a big-money move from fellow City Group outfit Troyes.

As is usually the case with a brand new signing, the 20-year-old’s arrival was met with a social media frenzy, and particularly around the decision over what shirt number to adopt for the 2024/25 season and beyond.

Many had anticipated that a potential exit for Joao Cancelo this summer could enable an availability for the number 7 shirt, however with the Portuguese’s future undecided and remaining unresolved, Savinho has looked elsewhere.

Upon joining Manchester City this week, and with an array of available shirt numbers to pick from, Savinho has opted for number 26 in recognition of a long-term hero of both himself and the Etihad Stadium, Riyad Mahrez.

“Since I was little, my dream was also to get here at Manchester City (like Riyad Mahrez). My friends always said that I looked a bit like him, but Mahrez is Mahrez, Sávio is Sávio,” the Brazil international explained when discussing his chosen shirt number with ManCity.com.

“I don’t want to create expectations for people, but I want to show my football – but I really like Mahrez and the way he plays football.  In this case, he is an inspiration here, that’s why I chose his number, and I am happy.”

Savinho will become the first player to wear the number 26 shirt for Manchester City since Riyad Mahrez, who left the club for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli during the last summer transfer window.

Other names to have worn 26 at Manchester City include Martín Demichelis between 2013/14 and 2015/16, Tal Ben Haim in the 2008/2009 season, Paul Bosvelt between 2003/04 and 2004/05, and Kåre Ingebrigtsen in 1993/94.

Savinho is expected to take on his first match minutes for Manchester City in early August, with the Brazilian being granted extra holiday weeks and subsequently an absence from the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.