Vitor Reis, a 19-year-old Brazilian defender, has been loaned by Manchester City to Girona, a Spanish club within the City Football Group, for the 2025/26 season to gain more playing time and accelerate his development. Confirmed on August 5, 2025, the move aims to provide the former Palmeiras player with experience in a competitive league like LaLiga, while positioning him as a potential candidate for Brazil’s national team for the 2026 World Cup. The deal includes a recall clause allowing Manchester City to bring the defender back if needed. Reis, who joined the English club in January 2025 for 37 million euros, appeared in just four official matches, facing stiff competition in defense. Girona, led by Míchel Sánchez, expects Reis to shine in Europe’s elite football scene.
The young defender, who stood out at Palmeiras with 22 matches and two goals in 2024, is viewed as a long-term investment by Manchester City. The choice of Girona, a club that has nurtured other Brazilians like Yan Couto and Savinho, was strategic to keep Reis within the City Football Group ecosystem. His absence from City’s open training on August 5 signaled the imminent transfer.
Loan objective: Ensure regular minutes for Reis’s technical and tactical growth.
Special clause: Manchester City can recall Reis at any time if necessary.
Proven track record: Girona has developed City talents like Yan Couto and Savinho.
New destination in LaLiga
Vitor Reis’s move to Girona marks a key step in his career. The Spanish club, part of the City Football Group since 2017, has established itself as an ideal environment for developing young talents, especially South Americans. After a challenging 2024/25 season, where Girona missed European qualification, the team aims to bolster its defense to climb the LaLiga standings. Reis, known for his aerial prowess and ball-playing ability, fits perfectly into Míchel Sánchez’s attacking style.
Reis is set to travel to Spain this week for medicals and to sign his contract, with expectations of joining the squad for pre-season. The loan, without a purchase option, underscores Manchester City’s confidence in Reis as a future starter.
Playing style: Strong in the air, with sharp defensive reading and precise passing.
Girona’s expectations: Strengthen defense and aim for European spots.
2025/26 season: Reis will compete with defenders like David López and Eric García.
🚨🔴⚪️ Understand Vitor Reis travels to Spain tomorrow for medical tests and contract signing at Girona.Loan deal from Manchester City, verbally agreed as reported two days ago… and also signed now. pic.twitter.com/tjXsGdiwxC— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2025
Vitor Reis’s journey
Vitor Reis joined Manchester City in January 2025 for a record-breaking 37 million euros (around R$232 million at the time), the highest transfer fee for a Brazilian defender. At Palmeiras, where he debuted in 2024, he shone as a leader, captaining youth teams, and for his versatility. Despite the high investment, Reis struggled to secure a spot in Pep Guardiola’s squad, which includes stars like Rúben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and John Stones. His appearances were limited to lower-stakes matches, such as the English League Cup and a brief Premier League stint.
His standout moment at City was starting in a 2-0 win over Wydad Casablanca in the Club World Cup, where he showed composure and impressed the coaching staff. However, fierce competition and the need for regular minutes led to the loan decision.
Palmeiras: 22 matches, two goals, key in 2024 Série A runner-up campaign.
Manchester City: Four official games, totaling 226 minutes.
Brazilian national team: Former youth captain, now aiming for senior team call-up.
City Football Group’s strategy
The City Football Group (CFG), which owns 30% of Girona, uses the Spanish club as a hub for developing young prospects. Reis’s transfer follows the model applied to Yan Couto, who excelled at Girona before returning to City, and Savinho, who shone in LaLiga before a permanent move. This system allows City to closely monitor players’ progress in a similar tactical setup to Guardiola’s.
Reis’s loan also reflects CFG’s long-term vision, prioritizing player development. Girona is reportedly in talks to sign another City youngster, Argentine Claudio Echeverri, further strengthening ties between the clubs. The recall clause offers City flexibility, especially after a 2024/25 season marked by defensive injuries.
City Football Group: Global network with clubs in over 10 countries, including Girona.
Development model: Focus on game time in competitive leagues.
Success stories: Yan Couto and Savinho thrived at Girona before major moves.
Season expectations
At Girona, Reis will compete in a high-level technical league, facing teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid. LaLiga’s competitive nature and technical focus will test the defender, who aims to establish himself in Europe and catch the eye of Brazil’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti. His goal is to emulate other young Brazilians who earned national team spots after strong European stints.
Girona, after missing European qualification in 2024/25, is banking on Reis to bolster its defense and reclaim a top spot in LaLiga. Under Míchel Sánchez, known for nurturing young talent, the club expects the Brazilian to become a cornerstone of its 2025/26 project.
LaLiga 2025/26: Season starts in August, with Girona targeting European qualification.
Míchel Sánchez: Coach renowned for developing young players.
Brazilian national team: Reis aims to impress for 2026 World Cup.
Manchester City’s perspective
Loaning out Vitor Reis reflects Manchester City’s deep defensive roster, which includes seven top-tier defenders like Rúben Dias, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Aké. Despite his quality, Reis would struggle for regular minutes in the Premier League, especially after City signed Abdukodir Khusanov. The Girona loan ensures his development without losing oversight.
Pep Guardiola, who praised Reis’s potential, believes LaLiga experience will prepare him for a bigger role at City. The recall clause provides flexibility in a packed schedule with competitions like the Premier League, Champions League, and Club World Cup.
City’s squad: Seven defenders, including established names like Rúben Dias.
Long-term planning: Reis seen as a future replacement for veteran defenders.
Contract flexibility: Recall clause allows quick return if needed.
