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Antoine Semenyo's move to Man City had been in the works for a while, but even that hasn't stopped him from taking a moment to show some class to AFC Bournemouth after his exit.
Luke Thrower Trends Writer 12:55, 10 Jan 2026
There are two ways to leave a football club - proudly through the front door, or sneaking out the back door. And it's fair to say Antoine Semenyo has chosen the right option upon making his move to Manchester City.
The club paid roughly £60million to bring the forward in from AFC Bournemouth, having proven his credentials at the highest level while on the south coast.
The 26-year-old repaid the faith shown in him by the Cherries with his performances. Not only that, he played an extra few matches to go with it; sticking around to play Arsenal and Tottenham in early January, even grabbing a 95th-minute winner against the latter in what was his last kick of a ball for Bournemouth.
While that's one classy gesture he has shown to Bournemouth's supporters, he has taken it one step further with his latest display in a final act of appreciation towards the fans.
Indeed, Semenyo bought a full-page ad in the local paper, the Bournemouth Echo, with a message to those at Bournemouth that reads: "To all the fans at AFC Bournemouth, thank you for all the memories, I wish you all the best."
The versatile forward joins Man City on a five-and-a-half-year deal and he's expected to slot into Pep Guardiola's front-line with relative ease.
In signing Semenyo, City now have another player who's comfortable scoring with both feet, can play anywhere across the front-line and is adept in pressing structures and off the ball work..
Director of football Hugo Viana, perhaps, summed the signing up best when speaking to the official City website, when he said: "Antoine is a really exciting signing for the football club.
"He made it clear to us immediately it was City he wanted to join. His enthusiasm for this football club has been clear throughout the process.
"He has huge quality. Two great feet, pace, power, a habit of influencing games and, importantly, real room for growth and development. I'm excited to see the player he can become in the weeks, months and years ahead.
"We are constantly watching players all over the world. Antoine was the one we most wanted. He has shown he can perform in the Premier League. He's humble, hard-working, professional and totally focused on being a better footballer. He's ideal for us."
The Ghanaian international was linked with moves to Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham, but ultimately picked City as the place to be.
He will now be looking to make an immediate impact by leading the club towards the Premier League title this season, with the gap to Arsenal at the top sitting at six points.
"I'm so proud to have joined Manchester City," said Semenyo when reflecting upon the move. "I have watched City over the last decade under Pep Guardiola and they have been the dominant team in the Premier League, as well as achieving amazing things in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.
"They have set the highest of standards and it's a club with world-class players, world-class facilities - and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep. I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It's a real privilege to be here.
"My best football is yet to come, I'm sure of that. And City are in a great position, still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season. The Etihad is my new home. I can't wait to play in front of the fans here and I hope to show everyone what I can do."
Semenyo will be available for City's FA Cup tie with League Two side Exeter City, which could hand him a debut for the club almost immediately.
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