Donnarumma Takes Number 25 Shirt After £26 Million Move to Manchester City

Written by Pavel Kateliev

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, | Updated: September 3, 2025

Gianluigi Donnarumma with hands in the air

Key Takeaways:

Manchester City announced Gianluigi Donnarumma will wear the number 25 shirt following his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day
The 26-year-old Italian goalkeeper joined City on a five-year contract in a deal worth £26 million
Donnarumma’s shirt number honours his birthday and was previously worn by Joe Hart, Fernandinho, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Wayne Bridge

Squad Number Selection

Manchester City have officially stated that Gianluigi Donnarumma, the club’s latest signing from Paris Saint-Germain, will don the number 25 shirt at the Etihad Stadium. The Italian international, aged 26, completed his move in the closing hours of the transfer window, penning a five-year deal as part of a transfer believed to be worth £26 million.

Background on Donnarumma’s Previous Numbers

During his seven seasons at AC Milan—after bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old—Donnarumma famously wore the number 99 shirt. Reports initially suggested he would continue with number 99 at Manchester City. At Paris Saint-Germain, Donnarumma used shirt numbers 1, 50, and 99 over his four-year tenure; his use of 99 was only permitted from the 2022–23 season onwards after Ligue 1 lifted its restriction limiting squad numbers to the 1–30 range.

Our new signing, @donnarumma will wear the number 25 shirt 👕
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 2, 2025

Manchester City’s Shirt Number Policy

English football permits players to choose any number between 1 and 99, in contrast to some leagues that still impose limitations. Nevertheless, Donnarumma has selected the number 25 shirt, a nod to his personal milestone—the 25th of February, the date of his birthday. This shirt was made available after Manuel Akanji departed for a season-long loan to Serie A side Inter, a move that could become permanent subject to certain conditions.

History of the Number 25 Shirt at City

The number 25 shirt has been worn by several prominent Manchester City players. Joe Hart notably wore it during two spells with City, from 2006 to 2008 and again from 2009 to 2012. Other notable past holders include Fernandinho, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Wayne Bridge.