Ndiaye's journey from non-league football to £65m Man City move

Iliman Ndiaye: Manchester City Sign Winger from Everton for £65m - BBC Sport

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Ndiaye's journey from non-league football to £65m Man City move

Image source: Manchester City

Image caption: Iliman Ndiaye has joined Manchester City from Everton in a £65m deal

By Adwaidh Rajan, BBC Sport journalist, and Matthew Hobbs, BBC Sport journalist

Published 1 September 2026, 21:02 BST

Updated 5 minutes ago

Iliman Ndiaye's move to Manchester City has been something of a scenic route after he completed a transfer to the Etihad Stadium from Everton for a fee worth up to £65m.

The Senegal winger, 26, signed a five-year contract with the club, marking the culmination of a remarkable rise that began in non-league football.

"I've worked my whole life for an opportunity like this," said Ndiaye, reflecting on his new chapter at one of Europe's most prestigious clubs.

Ndiaye's journey to Manchester City...

...began as a 19-year-old in London, playing Sunday league football while under the watchful eye of Boreham Wood.

He was invited for a one-week trial with Sheffield United but didn't secure a deal immediately, spending time on loan at Hyde United (six levels below the Premier League) instead.

It wasn't until 2021 that Ndiaye made his top-flight debut for Sheffield United against Leicester City. Three years later, he's joined City in a £65m move.

The deal comes after Ndiaye had held talks with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and seen Richarlison's proposed move to Tottenham fall through.

On the same day, Manchester City agreed to pay a joint-British transfer record fee of £125m for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.