Gianluigi Donnarumma will finally get the chance to wear his trademark No.99 shirt again after completing his move to Manchester City.

The Italian goalkeeper sealed a £26million deadline-day switch from Paris Saint-Germain, signing a five-year deal to become Pep Guardiola’s seventh addition of the summer.

The 26-year-old has always been associated with the No.99, a nod to his birth year, and he first made it famous during his rise at AC Milan.

It became his identity as one of Europe’s brightest young goalkeepers, but Ligue 1 rules stripped him of that privilege after his move to PSG in 2021.

In France, squad numbers were restricted between 1 and 30, with 1, 16 and 30 reserved specifically for goalkeepers, forcing him to adapt.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is Back to his roots with City

At City, the door has reopened. With James Trafford already assigned the No.1 shirt following his return to the Etihad, Donnarumma has been handed 99 once again.

For the Italy international, it represents more than just a number – it is a return to his roots and a continuation of the image he built as a teenager at the San Siro.

The arrival of Donnarumma also signals a new chapter for City following Ederson’s departure to Fenerbahce.

Guardiola now has a world-class replacement between the posts, one who arrives with experience of winning at club and international level, having lifted Euro 2020 with Italy and multiple domestic honours with PSG.