Danilo leaves Real Madrid for Manchester City for chance to work with Pep Guardiola

Full-back to join up with new teammates on tour of United States after agreeing personal terms and passing medical.

(FILES) This file photo taken on November 19, 2016 shows Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Danilo training before the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid.
Manchester City are close to signing Real Madrid full-back Danilo, according to widespread media reports on July 20, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / GERARD JULIEN
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Manchester City have completed the signing of full-back Danilo from Real Madrid on a five-year deal.

Danilo, 26, will join up with his new teammates on their tour of the United States after agreeing personal terms and passing his medical at the Premier League club.

"I am very, very happy to be joining Manchester City," Danilo told mancity.com. "There has been strong interest from other clubs, but it has always been my ambition to play for Pep Guardiola. As soon as I heard of his interest, I knew immediately I wanted to be a City player."

Danilo, whose move is subject to receiving a work permit, joined Primera Liga champions Real Madrid for €31.5 million (nearly Dh135m) in the summer of 2015 after helping Porto to back-to-back titles in the Portuguese top flight. City are reported to have paid Madrid £27m (Dh129m) for the South American.

The Brazil international started his career at America Mineiro in his homeland and made the switch to eight-time Brazilian national champions Santos the following season before making the move to Spain.

He made 55 appearances for Madrid and joins City in top form after winning the Spanish title last season, while with Madrid Danilo also won two Uefa Champions Leagues, the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

He hopes to enjoy similar success with the Premier League side.

"Collectively it was a great season because the team won La Liga and the Champions League," he said. "You have to learn how to win and I love winning. Undoubtedly it was very important for me being on the pitch and always winning."[I am committed] to the club, to the city and to Pep's managerial style, and all that helps the club win trophies."

Danilo could come up against his former side as early as next week as City take on Madrid in Los Angeles in Wednesday's pre-season match.

And he is looking forward to meeting up with his teammates ahead of the new season.

"The last days have been very long for me because I wanted to be here and meet my team-mates because they're great players, and I want to help them face the new season," he added. "I had a few words with [City's Brazilian midfielder] Fernandinho and I hope they help me settle down as quickly as possible."

Danilo has predominantly played in the right-back position in the past but it is understood that Guardiola sees the Brazilian playing in a left-back role or that of a holding midfielder.

On his position on the pitch, Danilo says he would be happy to play in any position, as long as he is on the pitch.

"Football is very dynamic and it requires quality players in every position, so I think a player who can play in different positions at a good level has an advantage, and becomes very important for the team as well," he said.

"I prefer just to play, I don't have a favourite position. I am used to playing as right-back but any time I'm on the pitch in the starting 11, I'm always happy.

"He [Guardiola] told me I'm ready and that I can play in several positions, right-back, left-back, midfield. I just hope to help him out as he expects."

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