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Manchester City announce signing of Welsh prospect

By Joel Draba-Mann

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: General view from outside the stadium before kick off during the Premier League match between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: General view from outside the stadium before kick off during the Premier League match between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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Manchester City have announced the signing of highly-rated Welsh teenager Rabbi Matondo from Championship club Cardiff City.

According to reports, Manchester City fended off interest from a number of other clubs to secure the services of the 16 year-old.

Matondo has been earning rave reviews for the Championship club’s youth sides. Many have been saying the star is Cardiff’s best young player since Aaron Ramsey.

Manchester City reportedly agreed a “bumper package” with Cardiff for the Wales U17’s player.

A composed attacking midfielder, City were able to sign the talented teenager due to their academy’s Category One Status.

LILLE, FRANCE - JULY 01: Aaron Ramsey of Wales in action with Radja Nainggolan of Belgium during the UEFA Euro 2016 Quarter Final match between Wales and Belgium at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on July 1, 2016 in Lille, France. (Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images)
LILLE, FRANCE – JULY 01: Aaron Ramsey of Wales in action with Radja Nainggolan of Belgium during the UEFA Euro 2016 Quarter Final match between Wales and Belgium at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on July 1, 2016 in Lille, France. (Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images) /

These controversial rules mean a club’s whose academy sports a Category One Status can sign the best prospects from lower ranked academies at any time, even outside of transfer windows.

Cardiff City possess only a Category Two Status. Therefore, City were able to secure the services of Matondo.

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The youngster will soon link up with his new teammates at the Blues’ esteemed academy.

Manchester City have been putting great emphasis of late on securing the world’s hottest young footballing talent as they look to build a side capable of dominating for years to come. It will be interesting to see if City decide to keep Matondo in their academy setup for time to settle into Manchester City once he arrives.

They also have the option of loaning him back to Cardiff for a season to allow him to continue to develop in a familiar environment. Either way another promising talent for City.

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