José Ángel Pozo

Early career

Born in Fuengirola, Málaga, Pozo started his football career at UD Fuengirola Los Boliches and was scouted by Real Madrid at the age of 11 to play for its youth set-up. He played for Real Madrid for five years before Manchester City paid £2.4 million to sign him in early 2012. The deal also brought over Pozo's younger brother Iker to play for Manchester City at academy level.

Manchester City

Playing for the English club's under-18s side, his first full season in England was impressive, netting him a nomination for Academy Player of the Year but his second season was cut short early by an ankle injury which limited him to just nine appearances for 2013–14. Nevertheless, he made a strong recovery and rejoined the Elite Development Side under Patrick Vieira, where he rapidly drew attention, earning himself the label of "Mini-Messi". Pozo's first exposure to first team football came on 24 September 2014, when injuries to squad mates Sergio Agüero and Stevan Jovetić left him as the club's second most senior striker for the club's Football League Cup third round match at home against Sheffield Wednesday. Named as a substitute amidst a flurry of national press attention following comments by manager Manuel Pellegrini on the possibility of his appearing, Pozo was brought on in the 64th minute for Yaya Touré, with City already 4–0 up against ten men, making his first senior appearance for the club. He recorded his first senior goal in the 88th minute,…

As of match played 21 March 2026