While it might not have been the most eagerly awaited debut ever it was perhaps close.
The fact it had been a season in the making and only lasted six minutes in the final game of a forgettable campaign didn't stop the Manchester City fans rising to cheer a cult hero who left a lasting impression on the club with supporters even if he wasn't able to make on it.
Glauber Berti's debut came with less than 10 minutes of a forgettable 2008/09 season remaining. With a routine 1-0 win over Bolton signalling the end of the first season under Abu Dhabi ownership, attention was being drawn to the touchline.
READ MORE: Man City player ratings - a 9/10 but one 4/10 as leaders struggle for form
READ MORE: Guardiola gamble has paid off for Man City despite Liverpool surge
City were on their way to finishing 10th in the Premier League, but it was the beginning of a new dawn. Yet on May 24, 2009, the Blues were saluting a figure who had become a fan favourite in his only season at the club. Berti had been on the bench 20 times without seeing any action but that May day the Brazilian defender was summoned by Mark Hughes.
The chants began as soon as he started getting ready for action, with his every touch cheered once he made his entrance. It cemented a love affair between Glauber and City that continues to this day.
"When I was on the side of the pitch the supporters were going crazy, it was funny but I really enjoyed it," the 41-year-old told the MEN from Brazil in 2019. "I knew the fans liked me, I was so happy with this. The supporters started chanting ‘Berti, Berti’, it was so funny.
"They recognised me, they were like ‘hey, Glauber, don’t worry, we recognise you’re here’. This gave me so much motivation to continue following
blues
man
UPS
Inside
Relationships
Action
Citi
Mark Hughes