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Who is Marlos Moreno? Profile of Manchester City's latest signing

Colombia's Atletico Nacional player  (C) celebrates  with teammates  after scoring a goal against Peru's Sporting Cristal   during the Copa Li
Image: Marlos Moreno has been linked with a move to Manchester City, but who is he?

We take a look at forward Marlos Moreno, who is the latest player to join Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola is continuing to bring in young talent as he reshapes his squad ahead of his first Premier League season, and Moreno has moved to the Etihad Stadium from Atletico Nacional for £4.75m.

But who is he, what is his playing style and would he fit in at the Etihad?

Profile

Colombia's Marlos Moreno (R) vies for the ball with Chile's Jean Beausejour  and Chile's Erick Pulgar (C) during a Copa America Centenario semifinal footba
Image: The attacker has already picked up seven caps for Colombia and played at the Copa America this summer

Age: 19

Position: Forward/Winger

Club: Atletico Nacional

Nationality: Colombian

Also See:

International caps: 7 (one goal)

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Background

Moreno spent his entire career until this point in his home country with Atletico Nacional - also his hometown club - and arrived as a fresh-faced 14-year-old in 2010.

Colombia's Atletico Nacional player Marlos Moreno  (R) celebrates his goal  against Junior during their Colombian Football League final match at the Atanas
Image: The Atletico Nacional player holds the record for the fastest goal in the club's history

He spent four years in the youth set up and made his first team debut in July 2014, coming on as a second half substitute during a 3-1 win in the Copa Colombia. Since then, he has gone on to make 26 appearances for Atletico Nacional and has scored five times - including the fastest goal in the club's history.

It came as the club lifted the Categoria Primera A title in 2015 as they beat Juniors in the final. Moreno's 30 second goal in the second leg drew the sides level at 2-2 on aggregate after losing 2-1 in the away first fixture. Atletico Nacional went on to win 3-2 on penalties. 

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Although he is only 19 years old, Moreno has already won seven caps for the Colombia national team and finished in third place at the 2016 Copa America where he also scored his first international goal against Costa Rica in the group stage.

Style of play

Moreno is capable of playing anywhere in an attacking three, and although he is most naturally suited to operating as a winger, he can play on either side or as an inside forward which can prove to be a handful for defences.

Colombia's Atletico Nacional Marlos Moreno (R) vies for the ball with Ecuador's Independiente del Valle Arturo Mina during the Copa Libertadores first leg
Image: Moreno is primarily a winger, but can play in any of the attacking positions

He also has blistering pace - matching his ability to link the play - but is not afraid to take on his markers. Although he stands at a relatively small 5ft 7in, he has demonstrated previously that he won't be bullied off the park by physical confrontations - a trait that would suit him well as a pacey Premier League winger.

Although he has been known to make the odd selfish decision, such as failing to play in his team-mates who are in scoring positions and trying to score himself, this is a trait that can be improved upon as he grows as a player.

HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 11:  Marlos Moreno #21 of Colombia scores in the second half against Costa Rica at NRG Stadium on June 11, 2016 in Houston, Texas.  (Pho
Image: Moreno celebrates his first goal for Colombia against Costa Rica

How will he fit in at City?

Moreno will not go straight into the first team and will go out on a season-long loan to Deportivo La Coruna to gain experience from European football.

When he returns to City the youngster certainly has competition at City. Guardiola already has a number of similar players at his disposal - such as Raheem Sterling, Kevin de Bruyne and new signing Nolitio - but he does fit the profile of a Manchester City player.

Similarly to Oleksandr Zinchenko, City will have once again have beaten their rivals to a rising young talent who will ultimately make up the squad in the years to come, with other rumoured interest from Manchester United, Barcelona and Benfica.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ukraine, Euro 2016
Image: Fellow teenager Oleksandr Zinchenko has also signed for Manchester City this summer

But the attacker has performed on the international stage with Colombia, and if he can settle in Europe as well as having some success in inevitable loan spells that continue his development, he could become a real star for Manchester City in the future. 

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