Why Donnarumma can’t wear his Milan number at Manchester City

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 5:47 AM ET

TalkSport reports that a ‘little-known’ Premier League rule prevented Gigio Donnarumma from taking the No. 99, the same one he had at Milan, at Manchester City.

Donnarumma’s Manchester City transfer was confirmed on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

Donnarumma’s squad No. at Man City revealed

As Football Italia exclusively reported on deadline day, Manchester City paid €27m to secure the services of the Italy captain, while Donnarumma will earn €15m in the first year of his stay at the Etihad Stadium.

Donnarumma has picked No. 25 at Manchester City, but, as reported by TalkSport, his first option was the No.99, the same he had at Milan.

TalkSport reports that the Premier League has established more restrictive rules to push players to pick more conventional numbers.

Why Donnarumma could not wear No. 99 at Man City

Although players can still pick numbers from 1 to 99, the Premier League is eager to prevent players from selecting high numbers to stick to the footballing tradition.

Furthermore, lower numbers are easier to be recognised by fans, officials and commentators, but the commercial side of things also has an impact, given that the use of more traditional numbers helps with marketing and sales of English clubs.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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