Elliot Anderson Takes Over No.5 Shirt at City

Elliot Anderson has been handed one of the most storied shirts at City. The new signing will wear No.5 this season, stepping straight into the space vacated by club great John Stones.

Stones left in the summer after a decade and 20 trophies, a haul that has cemented his place in club folklore. Now Anderson, an England teammate, walks into that lineage. It is a bold number for a new arrival, and a clear statement of how highly he is regarded inside the club.

The No.5 at City carries weight. Before Stones, it belonged to a line of rugged, respected figures: Pablo Zabaleta, Sylvain Distin, Andy Morrison, Paul Power, Tommy Booth. It is a defender’s number, a leader’s number. Anderson now carries that history on his back.

Guéhi steps into Ake’s role

At the heart of defence, there is another significant change. Marc Guéhi moves to No.6, taking over from Nathan Ake.

Guéhi joined City in January and wore No.15 as the club swept to a Carabao Cup and FA Cup double in the 2025/26 campaign. He was quickly trusted in big moments. Now he inherits the shirt he wore throughout his five-year spell at Crystal Palace, a familiar number for a player growing in stature.

The shift from 15 to 6 is more than cosmetic. It signals his elevation from new signing to central pillar in the squad’s long-term plans.

Donnarumma takes the gloves – and the No.1

Behind them, there is a new name on the most traditional shirt of all. Gianluigi Donnarumma has been confirmed as City’s No.1.

He replaces James Trafford, who completed a permanent move to Leeds last week. Donnarumma had worn No.25 last season, but the change brings his club status into line with his role for Italy, where he also wears No.1.

The number is steeped in City goalkeeping history. Frank Swift, Bert Trautmann, Joe Corrigan, Tony Coton, Joe Hart – all iconic figures who built their reputations in that jersey. Donnarumma arrives with serious pedigree of his own, having worn No.1 in his final season at PSG as he helped the French side lift Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions and the UEFA Champions League.

Now he steps into another demanding goalkeeping tradition, in front of a fanbase that knows exactly what an elite No.1 looks like.

Rulli returns to his roots with 28

The goalkeeping reshuffle does not end there. New arrival Gerónimo Rulli has taken the No.28 shirt.

It is not a random choice. Rulli began his career in the No.28 at Estudiantes de La Plata, and the number has followed him through various stages of his journey. At City, it will mark him out as the experienced deputy in a refreshed goalkeeping department.

With Anderson at 5, Guéhi at 6, Donnarumma at 1 and Rulli at 28, City’s new spine is now numbered and ready. The shirts are spoken for. The next step is proving those numbers belong to them once the season starts.