Elliot Anderson Takes Iconic No.5 Shirt at City

Elliot Anderson has been handed one of the most storied shirts at City – the No.5 once worn by John Stones.

The new signing steps straight into a number steeped in recent history. Stones, a City legend and Anderson’s England teammate, left this summer after a decade that brought 20 trophies and redefined what a modern centre-back could be for the club. Now that same digit sits on Anderson’s back, carrying both expectation and opportunity.

He joins a distinguished line. Pablo Zabaleta, Sylvain Distin, Andy Morrison, Paul Power and Tommy Booth have all worn No.5 for City, each leaving their own mark on the club’s identity and steel.

Guéhi moves into Ake’s old shirt

At the heart of defence, there is another symbolic switch. Marc Guéhi has taken over the No.6 shirt, vacated by Nathan Ake.

Guéhi arrived in January and operated in No.15 as City went on to lift both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in the 2025/26 campaign. Now he steps into a number that feels more permanent, more central, and one that already fits his story. No.6 was the shirt he wore throughout his five-year spell at Crystal Palace before making the move to the Etihad. The continuity underlines his rise from promising recruit to a key figure in City’s back line.

Donnarumma claims the gloves – and No.1

Behind them, the goalkeeping hierarchy has been underlined in bold. Gianluigi Donnarumma is City’s new No.1.

He takes over from James Trafford, who completed a permanent move to Leeds last week, and follows a lineage of iconic City goalkeepers to wear the shirt: Frank Swift, Bert Trautmann, Joe Corrigan, Tony Coton and Joe Hart have all stood between the posts with that number on their back.

Donnarumma wore No.25 last season, but No.1 is hardly new territory for him. He is Italy’s first-choice goalkeeper in every sense, wearing the same number for the national team, and he carried it in his final season at PSG – a year in which he lifted Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions and the UEFA Champions League. Now that status is mirrored at club level in Manchester.

Rulli returns to his roots with 28

There is a more personal touch to Gerónimo Rulli’s choice. The incoming keeper, who completed his move earlier today, will wear No.28.

It is not a random pick. Rulli began his professional career in the same number at Club Estudiantes de La Plata, and the return to 28 offers a neat symmetry as he starts a new chapter in English football.

With Anderson at 5, Guéhi at 6, Donnarumma at 1 and Rulli at 28, City’s new season already has its numbers – and its storylines – taking shape.