24/03/2026
Rayan Cherki (born 2003) is a highly skilled French attacking midfielder/winger known for his exceptional dribbling and two-footedness. A product of the Lyon academy, he became their youngest-ever scorer in 2020 at age 16. After 185 appearances and 15 years at Lyon, he signed for Manchester City in 2025 until 2030.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
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Early Career & Breakthrough
Academy Prodigy: Born in Lyon, Cherki joined Lyon's youth academy at age seven from AS Saint-Priest.
Record Breaker: He made his professional debut in October 2019 at age 16. He became the youngest scorer in Lyon's history in January 2020 and the youngest player to feature in a Champions League semi-final that same year.
Youth Success: He starred for Lyon's U19s, helping them win the 2021/22 Coupe Gambardella.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
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Key Years at Lyon (2019β2025)
Breakthrough (2019β2021): After his debut, he became known as one of Europe's top talents, often utilized as a creative No. 10 or winger.
Development & Criticism: While his talent was undeniable, his early career faced criticism regarding consistency and defensive work rate, as highlighted in this YouTube video.
Final Season: In his final season before his departure, he matured significantly, leading the French league in assists with 11, along with 12 goals in all competitions, as reported by BBC Sport and YouTube.
BBC
BBC
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Move to Manchester City (2025)
Transfer: In June 2025, Manchester City secured Cherki on a five-year contract to run until 2030, paying β¬36.5M.
Style of Play: Regarded as a "genius" with the ball, he is characterized by his ability to dribble past opponents with ease and deliver precise through-balls, as explained in this Sky Sports article.
Sky Sports
Sky Sports
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International Career
Cherki has represented France at multiple youth levels, including a key role for the U21 team in the 2023 European Championships.
BBC
BBC
Personal Information
Birth Date: August 17, 2003.
Heritage: Eligible to represent France, Italy