The Premier League transfer drama has continued into this week as Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United to add to what was already a very impressive squad depth.
Pep Guardiola’s side reportedly paid around £45 million for the midfielder - a fee that will provide little comfort to his former club after the success he has brought them in recent years.
Even if you are to ignore how good the midfielder has been for the Whites, his connection to his boyhood club that he has spent 12 years with makes the switch so much more heartbreaking for the fans.
Phillips has previously turned down opportunities to leave the club he adores, however the time has finally come for him to move on to the defending champions.
While most of the Whites’ fanbase have shown their support for Phillips, there are still many critical of his departure.
Following Phillips’ controversial transfer, we have taken a look at players that have left their boyhood clubs in the past and how they did afterwards - including former stars on Merseyside...
5. Alan Smith - Leeds United
Rothwell-born Smith joined Leeds United in 1996 and spent eight years with his boyhood club. Smith once said he would never play for their rivals Manchester United, however he joined the Red Devils following Leeds’ relegation in 2004. He won the league at Old Trafford three years later before joining Newcastle United, where he suffered relegation to the Championship. | Getty Images
6. James Milner - Leeds United
Born less than two miles from Elland Road, Milner made his debut for Leeds at 16 years old. He made over 50 appearances for the Whites before the club were forced to sell him due to financial problems. The ex-England international went onto win the Premier League and the FA Cup with both Manchester City and Liverpool, as well as the Champions League with the Reds. | Getty Images
7. Wayne Rooney - Everton
Born in Liverpool, Rooney made his Everton debut at the age of 16 and rapidly became one of the hottest prospects in football. Two years later, the forward joined Manchester United and became a club legend - making 559 appearances and scoring 253 goals. Rooney rejoined Everton at the age of 32 and scored 10 goals in his final season for the club. | Getty Images
8. Andy Carroll - Newcastle United
Gateshead-born Andy Carroll made his senior debut for Newcastle in 2006 after years of success in their academy. The striker was their top scorer with 19 goals in the 2009-10 season before joining Liverpool for £35m in the following January. Carroll failed to replicate his form following his departure from Tyneside and struggled with injuries for the years to follow, before he made a disappointing return to St. James’ Park in 2019. | Getty Images