The Cityzens have confirmed the departure of youth product Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Anderlecht on a loan deal.
Manchester City have been graced by some of Premier League’s brightest centre-backs in recent memory, including the likes of Portuguese prodigy Ruben Dias and Spain’s Aymeric Laporte. However, one can never forget the immense contribution of Vincent Kompany in the last decade.
Vincent Kompany’s eleven year legacy in the light blue colours is well remembered for his captaincy and now, the former defender is leading Anderlecht from the dugout. He is still known to maintain good ties with Manchester City.
As a result, he has secured the signing of promising City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis on a season-long loan until the end of June 2022 – state confirmed reports from Manchester Evening News.
According to reports from England, Kompany made a special request to the Anderlecht board for the transfer of the 19-year old.
Taylor, who is seeking consistent development in a first team setting, will see out 2021/22 in the Belgian Pro League with RSC Anderlecht. He was loaned out last season to Championship side Blackburn Rovers, where he ended up securing 19 caps in the space of only four months – from 1 February, 2021 to 31 May 2021.
The City youth product has gained momentum since his continuous development began at the highest level. He has captained England U17 previously at the 2019 UEFA European U17 Championship.
Last year, the defender impressed with a string of impressive performances for City’s youth teams, prompting the club management to offer him a four-year contract in December 2020.
Harwood-Bellis has managed to gain just 8 senior appearances for City, spread throughout two seasons. Pep Guardiola does not deem him fit to be starting consistently at the Premier League level but it goes without saying how impressed he already is with his defensive maturity.
Kompany will likely link Harwood-Bellis with ex-Southampton defender Wesley Hoedt as the centre-back pairing.
The City legend finished third in the Jupiler Pro League last season and will look to challenge on all fronts next season.