After six years of service at Manchester City, veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson is set to leave the club this summer following the expiry of his contract. The 39-year-old, who joined the Etihad Stadium initially on loan from Derby County in 2019 before making the move permanent in 2021, has been a quietly influential presence in Pep Guardiola's squad, despite making just two senior appearances during his tenure.
Carson's debut came in a Premier League victory over Newcastle United in May 2021, and his second and final appearance was in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg against Sporting CP during the 2021-22 campaign. Since then, he has not taken to the pitch for City, yet his role as the third-choice goalkeeper has been valued highly within the squad.
Throughout his six seasons at Manchester City, Carson has been part of an era marked by historic success. The club lifted an impressive 12 major trophies during his time, including the 2023 UEFA Champions League, four Premier League titles, two League Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, and a FIFA Club World Cup. Remarkably, Carson's 108 minutes of game time translate to a trophy for every 9.8 minutes he was on the pitch, a unique statistic that highlights his unusual record of having more Premier League winners' medals than appearances.
Manchester City publicly acknowledged Carson's contributions, with a statement on their website reading: "During his time at City, Carson has been praised by goalkeeping coach Xabi Mancisidor and peers Ederson and Stefan Ortega Moreno for his work ethic and the effect of his positive attitude amongst the group. He has been part of a squad that has lifted 12 major honours over the last six seasons during what has been a historic period of success for Pep Guardiola’s team. Everyone at Manchester City would like to thank Scott for his hard work and dedication and wish him the very best of luck for the future."
Carson’s professional career spans more than two decades, beginning with his senior debut for Leeds United in January 2004. Over the years, he has played for notable clubs such as Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion, Bursaspor, Wigan Athletic, and Derby County. Internationally, he earned four caps for England between 2006 and 2011.
Despite limited on-field action at Manchester City, Carson's presence has been a stabilizing force within the goalkeeping unit, providing invaluable support and mentorship to first-choice goalkeeper Ederson and fellow backup Stefan Ortega. His professionalism and positive influence in training sessions have been widely praised within the club.
As Carson departs, Manchester City are actively pursuing reinforcements to bolster their squad ahead of the upcoming season and the Club World Cup. The club is reportedly targeting Chelsea's backup goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, 33, who has made just one appearance in four seasons at Stamford Bridge. Bettinelli would be expected to fill a similar role to Carson's, providing reliable support behind Ederson and Ortega.
In addition to the goalkeeper search, Manchester City are closing in on several high-profile signings. Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri is nearing a £33.7 million move to the Etihad, with the player recently seen leaving medical tests. Lyon and France midfielder Rayan Cherki has agreed personal terms and is eager to join City before the June 10 deadline for the Club World Cup squad registration. Moreover, City are set to sign AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders on a five-year deal, with an initial fee of £46.3 million that could rise to £58 million with bonuses, pending a medical.
These acquisitions come amid a broader squad overhaul following a somewhat frustrating campaign for Manchester City. The club has already made several signings in January 2025, including Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Nico Gonzalez. Meanwhile, the summer transfer window has seen the departures of long-serving stars such as Kevin De Bruyne, who is tipped to join Serie A champions Napoli, as well as speculation surrounding potential exits for Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish. The club has also experienced changes in its backroom staff, with the departures of Juanma Lillo, Inigo Dominguez, and Carlos Vicens.
Scott Carson’s exit marks the end of a unique chapter at Manchester City. While his on-pitch contributions were limited, his role behind the scenes and in the locker room helped shape one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. As City continue to evolve, the club’s gratitude for Carson’s dedication and professionalism remains clear, and his legacy as a cult hero backup goalkeeper is firmly cemented.
