Kyle

Walker

One of the best-attacking full-backs in Europe...

Kyle Walker was City’s third signing of summer 2017, arriving on a five-year deal from Tottenham Hotspur.

Taking the number two shirt, the England international has made the right-back slot his own and won six trophies in his first two seasons.

A product of the Sheffield United academy, he spent time on loan at Northampton Town before returning to Bramall Lane and impressing in the final few games of the 2008/09 season.

Spurs moved for him that summer, but his progress continued at his home town club, who he immediately returned to on loan.

However, after impressing in the opening months of the 2009/10 season, he was recalled to Spurs and made two senior appearances.

Further loan moves followed, to Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa, in a bid to secure further first-team experience, but in 2011 he forced his way into the Spurs side and became their first-choice right-back.

He left White Hart Lane with 228 appearances to his name and won the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2012, as well as twice being selected in the PFA Team of the Year.

Since his arrival at City, Walker has been a near constant presence.

He made his 100^th City appearance in the 2019 FA Cup final, reaching the milestone in less than two years.

An impressive debut campaign saw him win his first senior honours, the Carabao Cup and Premier League, and he went one better in 2019, adding the Community Shield and FA Cup to his medal collection.

At an international level, Walker has played more than 70 times since his 2011 debut, a 1-0 win over Spain, and sandwiched between his first two seasons at City was a World Cup campaign.

He was deployed on the right of a back three and impressed in the unfamiliar position as England reached the semi-finals of the tournament.

With 42 appearances in 2019/20, Walker again showed consistency, athleticism and remained a vital cog in City’s attacking defender ethos.

He was at his very best in 2020/21, with his power and consistency one of the key components of City’s miserly defensive record.

He again made 42 appearances and, like John Stones, won his England place back in the process.

A supreme athlete and competitor, a series of injuries restricted him to just 31 starts in 2021/22, though he more than made an impact throughout another title-winning campaign.

Walker’s impact early in the 2022/23 was interrupted by a groin injury.

However, after a period of recovery, was named in the England squad for the 2022 World Cup finals.

He went on to make three starting appearances at the Qatar showpiece, helping England reach the quarter-finals before being edged out by France.

Walker has been a powerful force at right-back in the latter months of the 2022/23 campaign, helping City secure our third consecutive Premier League title.

He also provided experience in City’s backline who secured the Double following our 2-1 win over Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

To end the season, he featured as a second-half substitute as City beat Inter 1-0 to win the Champions League and finalise our dream of winning the Treble.

Starting the 2023/24 campaign strong, Walker captained City to our first UEFA Super Cup trophy in August in which he scored his spot kick in the penalty shoot out win over Sevilla. 

Walker signed a new contract in September 2023, keeping him at the Club until the summer of 2026. 

Kyle also captained the City side as we claimed the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2023 with a 4-0 win over Fluminense.