Maximo Perrone explains why he joined Man City and inspiration behind new shirt number

Maximo Perrone had his long-term future in mind when he agreed to sign for Manchester City in January.

Perrone, 20, was City's only incoming bit of transfer business in a quiet transfer window last month, signing from Velez Sarsfield for £8.2m. He will train with the senior team for the rest of the season before a decision is taken on the next step of his career, and he was initially not expected to be involved in any games for the Blues.

However, City included Perrone in their Premier League and Champions League squads, and when Phil Foden fell ill last week, he was a surprise inclusion on the bench at Tottenham, and he has been training with Pep Guardiola's squad since his arrival.

ALSO READ: Man City defender Joao Cancelo sets record straight over Pep Guardiola fight rumours

Speaking for the first time since moving to Manchester, Perrone said he is looking to take in everything he can from Guardiola and his new teammates - with a long-term focus on improving his game more important than any short term ambitions of playing regularly for City.

"[Everyone has welcomed me] very well. I met a very good group of people, above all," he told City. "I have to train. My goal is to train, give my best in every training session, and then things will come whenever they come. There’s no better place than this right now.

"Everything Pep says will help me. I’m here to grow and here I have the best possible help. [City’s style] is the style of football I’ve always enjoyed. I define myself as a player who loves to have the ball, enjoys passing, and obviously I will get stuck in to recover the ball. I keep myself calm. I know I’m here to grow and that’s my goal."

Perrone has taken the number 32 shirt, and says the chance to take the