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Man City beat Tottenham to £420,000 signing of Shamrock Rovers wonderkid Gavin Bazunu

Premier League champions forked out a record fee for the 16-year-old stopper after convincing him that his future belongs at the Etihad

MANCHESTER CITY have beaten Chelsea and Tottenham to the signing of highly-rated keeper Gavin Bazunu.

The 16-year-old is so talented that the Irish stopper was Shamrock Rovers' first choice at the start of the season and kept four consecutive clean sheets.

 Man City have completed the signing of Shamrock Rovers stopper Gavin Bazuna
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Man City have completed the signing of Shamrock Rovers stopper Gavin BazunaCredit: Sportsfile - Subscription

City paid £420,000 for his signature which is a record for a non-professional in Ireland.

The deal also includes add-ons if the youngster does go on to big things with the Premier League champions in the future.

Bazunu was highly-sought after from the trio of Premier League with the player visiting all three training grounds.

He held talks with club officials before weighing up the best offer and decided to commit his future with City.

 The 16-year-old kept four consecutive clean sheets including in the Europa League
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The 16-year-old kept four consecutive clean sheets including in the Europa LeagueCredit: Sportsfile - Subscription
 Bazuna visited both Tottenham and Chelsea before committing to Man City
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Bazuna visited both Tottenham and Chelsea before committing to Man CityCredit: Sportsfile - Subscription
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Spurs will feel most aggrieved that they didn't get the deal over the line.

They launched a series of bids for the talent and believed their good relationship with the club would have been enough to seal a deal.

The two sides faced each other in the Europa League in 2011.

But City gazumped Spurs' offer and after being invited to watch their 6-1 opening day win over Huddersfield, he was convinced of his future under Pep Guardiola.

Bazuna has yet to finish his exams in Ireland and he will remain there until either January or next summer when he will join the academy.

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