Aymeric Laporte signed for Man City today.
Manchester City announced the signing in a very run of the mill, 21st century, Twitter era manner. A standard #WelcomeAymeric hashtag accompanied by a video of the player wearing his new club's jersey shot from a few different angles with some generic electronic music behind it.
https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/958325279327444992
Not quite the blockbuster movie Manchester United used to announce that Alexis Sánchez had signed for them.
United's video featuring Sánchez playing Glory Glory Man United on the piano was a social media hit. If the Premier League title was renamed the Tweet Engagement Cup, United would have it wrapped up. But it wasn't to everyone's tastes. Many found it to be over the top.
One particular City fan saw Laporte's unveiling as a great chance to poke fun at Manchester United for their outlandish announcement video.
https://twitter.com/varuns84/status/958329267179278337
And the City social media team saw the funny side.
https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/958363011294646274
It went down a storm with City supporters, who seem happy with the understated nature of Laporte's arrival. Who doesn't like poking fun at your rivals' cringeworthy videos?
https://twitter.com/ClinicalMansour/status/958363256149725184
https://twitter.com/Pulisic22i/status/958363155255603200
https://twitter.com/sujoyjoseph_/status/958364281078083584
https://twitter.com/gowthaam_/status/958363815472611328
City had to pay Athletic Club £57m for Laporte, as his release clause would let him go for no less. Athletic have also got one over on their local rivals as a result of this transfer. Iñigo Martínez has made the switch from Real Sociedad to Athletic as Laporte's replacement. A similar mould of player for half the price?
Shrewd business indeed.
