The Spain international penned a five-year deal on Thursday and spoke at a press conference where he fielded various questions from the gathered journalists.
“For me it’s a great step,” said Rodri.
READ: City sign Rodri
READ: Rodri chooses shirt number
“It’s a dream for me to come here. A great team, great staff. I have a lot of things to learn and I decide this is the best place for my career.
“I am proud of what I have done. I want to keep growing, keep learning. I’ve seen City on the TV and wanted one day to play here. I am happy to start this period here in Manchester.
“I have been following this team for four, five years. They signed great players – David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and many others - and I also admire the way they play.
“I like this football. I like watching City games and learning. When you are at another team, you watch more football. I try to watch City matches.
“Once I knew City were interested in me, there was no doubt for me. It was very clear for me to decide to come here.
“I want to win trophies. When I arrived at Atletico, I wanted to win. When you come to a big club, you are closer to winning. I hope this year we get the same or more success as the last two years. For me it’s a great opportunity.
“It’s a great team with great players in every area of the pitch. I think Pep is the greatest coach in the world and that’s what made me come.
“It’s important for me. I want to learn and grow as a player. I am very young and have a lot of things to do. With his coaching, I am going grow here. I am really happy.”
Rodri added that he felt City are writing new chapters in the history of English football, saying: “Maybe City have changed the story. I think City in the last five, six years have changed the story of football, not just in Manchester but in all England.
“I look for the challenge on the sporting front. That’s why I moved here. I love the city, I love Manchester. It’s becoming more Blue and the way they win lots of things, that says this team is growing. That’s why I came here.”
Rodri admitted he knows he will have to fight for a place but is looking forward to playing his part in the team when the opportunities come along.
“I know where I am coming,” he said. “It’s going to be tough. here are the greatest players in the world. I am going to work all day and say to the coach, ‘I am ready to play’.
“I have to fight from the first day - Monday we start. I have lots of aptitudes and skills to fit into this team. I can help this team a lot, that’s why I came here. I am excited to start and show what I can do.”
On the comparisons with Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets, he said: “I think he has been the greatest defensive midfielder in last ten years for me, for Barca and Spanish national team.
“I am very close to him, but I have other skills. I want to be another player. I want to learn from Fernandinho. He is quite a similar player to me.
“Since Pep arrived, the football has been radically changed, City are one of the most feared teams in Europe. It isn’t just the way they pass, it’s not just pretty football, they can hurt you in the final third.
“They have a real respect throughout Europe. I would consider them one of the top two or three teams in the world.
“Even good teams change their style when they play City and that is a great indication of how good they are and what Pep has done.”
BUY YOUR RODRI SHIRT NOW
Come and meet our new signing in the CityStore today (4 July) at 5.30pm! Rodri will be making a special appearance at the Etihad Stadium campus store, so don’t miss out!
