Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a £116m deal that makes the England midfielder the most expensive British player in history.

The 23-year-old’s fee eclipses the sum Real Madrid agreed for Jude Bellingham and underlines City’s determination to rebuild their midfield around one of Europe’s most complete young players. Only two transfers in Premier League history have cost more, placing Anderson among the elite bracket of global signings.

Anderson completed his medical with City while on World Cup duty with England, flying to Kansas on a rest day between fixtures before rejoining Gareth Southgate’s squad. He has started all of England’s matches at the tournament, his performances reinforcing the belief inside the Etihad that they were securing a generational talent.

In a statement, City confirmed an agreement with Nottingham Forest and said the formalities of the move will be finalised once Anderson returns from international duty. The club also publicly wished him and the England squad success for the remainder of the World Cup, underlining his status as a central figure in the national team’s plans as well as City’s.

Anderson arrives as the first signing of new head coach Enzo Maresca, who has been tasked with reshaping the side following Pep Guardiola’s departure. The move is widely seen as a cornerstone of Maresca’s project, particularly with Bernardo Silva already gone and uncertainty lingering over Rodri’s long-term future.

Last season, Anderson was the heartbeat of Nottingham Forest’s survival campaign. He featured in every Premier League match, starting 37 times, scoring four goals and providing four assists. Beyond the headline numbers, he ranked among the league’s top performers for both tackles and passes, a rare blend of defensive intensity and technical control.

Analysts point to his versatility as a key reason for City’s aggressive pursuit. Comfortable as a single pivot, a box-to-box No 8 or in a double pivot alongside a more defensive partner, Anderson offers tactical flexibility that few midfielders of his age can match. His ability to break lines with passes or carries, press aggressively and win duels has drawn comparisons with the very best in his position.

For City, the price tag reflects not only the player Anderson is now, but the one they believe he will become. For Forest, it is a record sale and the end of an era built around their standout academy graduate. For Anderson, it is the ultimate endorsement: a record-breaking move to a club that expects him to define its next generation.