Manchester City defender Vitor Reis is set to complete a season-long loan move to La Liga outfit Girona, as reported by Fabrizio Romano. The 19-year-old Brazilian centre-back heads to Spain in search of regular top-flight minutes and will remain under the City Football Group umbrella.
Limited Opportunities
Reis arrived at City in January 2025 from Palmeiras, where he had already begun to make waves as one of Brazil’s most promising defensive prospects. A composed, intelligent centre-half, he was described as “one of the most promising young defenders in the world” by former City sporting director Txiki Begiristain upon signing.
City paid £29.6 million to secure his services, tying him down to a four-and-a-half-year deal. Reis made his debut in the FA Cup against Leyton Orient, before a brief Premier League cameo in a 2-0 win over Leicester marked his first taste of top-flight action.
However, City are well-stocked at centre-back, with Rúben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Aké, Abdukodir Khusanov, John Stones, and Joško Gvardiol all ahead of Reis in the pecking order, making first-team opportunities difficult to come by.
🚨🔴⚪️ Girona have agreed deal in principle to sign Vitor Reis on loan from Manchester City.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 31, 2025
Formal steps to follow then Reis will travel for medical and contract signing. pic.twitter.com/rTJjHfgLSu
Why Girona Makes Sense
This move is a strategic and well-calculated one from all involved. Girona, part of the City Football Group, offer an ideal environment for Reis to grow. UEFA's recent lifting of restrictions around CFG-linked clubs competing in Europe has also opened the door for more flexible player development pathways.
Despite a disappointing 2024/25 season that saw the Catalan side finish 16th in La Liga, Girona offers Reis a genuine opportunity to develop under the guidance of manager Míchel. The club’s recent success in nurturing fellow City Football Group talents, notably Savinho and Yan Couto, reinforces the belief that Reis can thrive in Catalonia and take the next step in his European career.
A Move That Benefits Everyone
For Girona, it’s a statement signing, and for City, it’s a smart development move. For Reis, it’s a golden opportunity to gain senior experience in a competitive European league while staying firmly within the CFG orbit.
Should he impress in Spain, the door to the Etihad could reopen sooner rather than later.
