On this day in 2011: Manchester City take on Sergio Aguero

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Manchester City announced on this day in 2011 the signing of Argentine striker Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid on a five-year contract.

The then 23-year-old arrived at the Etihad Stadium for an undisclosed fee, understood to be a club record £35million, and was manager Roberto Mancini’s third capture of that summer, after Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic.

To say Aguero has continued to have the biggest impact of the three is an understatement of epic proportions.

Aguero set foot in Manchester confident of success but modestly making few promises.

He said at the time: “Once I’m out on the pitch I’ll know my way around, but I can’t say that for sure because I haven’t even made my debut yet.

“But I’m sure everything will be fine. I’m going to be relaxed about it.”

Aguero spent 10 years at City, announcing in March 2021 that he would leave the club at the end of that season.

In all, he scored a record 260 goals in 390 appearances for the club and won 12 major trophies, five league titles – his last-gasp winner against QPR, who won the crown in 2012, went down in football folklore – an FA Cup and six League Cups.

A tearful Aguero, whose exploits are immortalized in a statue at the Etihad, left Chelsea’s 1-0 Champions League final defeat in Porto to join Barcelona.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Sergio’s contribution to Manchester City over the past 10 years cannot be overstated. His legend will be indelibly etched in the memories of all those who love the club and perhaps even those who simply love football.”

Aguero’s stay at the Nou Camp proved short-lived as he announced his retirement from football at the age of 33 in December 2021 due to a heart condition.