Rodrigo

Talented defensive Spanish midfielder...

Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, better known as ‘Rodri’, joined City on 4 July 2019.

The 23-year-old Spanish midfielder joined from Atletico Madrid and became Pep Guardiola’s second signing of the summer.

The defensively minded midfielder is most at home sitting in front of the back four, where Rodri has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting prospects.

He will wear the number 16 shirt next season.

Txiki Begiristain, City’s Director of Football added: “Rodri has proven himself to be a hugely talented, young midfielder, who has all the attributes we are looking for.

“He works hard defensively, makes himself available to receive the ball and uses it well when in possession.”

Born Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante on 23 June 1996, City’s newest recruit supported Atleti as a boy and progressed through the academy ranks before departing in 2013 to complete his youth development at Villarreal.

One of their most coveted prospects, Rodri made his debut in December 2015 aged 19 and went on to represent the Yellow Submarine 84 times in three seasons.

Combining an impressive reading of the game with great touch, Rodri won admirers for his ability to break up opposition attacks before setting up his own with his thoughtful range of passing.

It was enough to earn a return to Atletico, who brought him back last summer for a fee believed to be in the region of £20m and it was at Wanda Metropolitano where he further enhanced his reputation.

Standing at 6’3 and with his technical ability and tactical understanding of the game both equally impressive, Rodri has been compared to Sergio Busquets.

He helped Atleti lift the 2018 UEFA Super Cup with a 4-2 victory over Real Madrid and went on to play 47 times, scoring three goals as his home-town club finished second in La Liga.

At international level, he has won six caps for Spain and was part of the U19 squad which won the 2015 European Championships, where he was named in the team of the tournament.

Rodri enjoyed an impressive first season at City making 52 appearances across all competitions and scoring the winner in our Carabao Cup final win against Aston Villa in March 2020.

Rodrigo‘s second season with City again saw him play almost every game, clocking up 53 appearances during another solid campaign that ended with a Premier League title.

And the towering midfielder’s influence increased again in 2021/22 when he played 46 times, scoring seven goals and was consistently excellent throughout.

He has proved to be the ideal successor to Fernandinho in the anchoring role of the team.

On the international stage meanwhile, Rodrigo is part of the Spain squad taking part in the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.