Manchester City have unveiled the permanent statue of legendary trio Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee outside the Etihad Stadium.
The sculpture, which is located on the west side of the stadium, was created by David Williams-Ellis and is dedicated to three of the Citizens' greatest-ever players.
Bell, Lee and Summerbee all represented Man City in the 1960s and 1970s and made a combined 1,280 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 368 goals.
The iconic trio helped the Citizens win the 1967-68 top-flight title, the 1969 FA Cup ,as well as both the League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1970.
Former England midfielder Bell, who died at the age of 74 in 2021, scored 153 goals in 501 games for Man City during a 13-year spell with the club, and he has a stand at the Etihad named after him.
Anther ex-Three Lions star Lee, who scored 148 goals in 330 matches for the Citizens across an eight-year period, passed away aged 79 in October.
Summerbee, meanwhile, scored 67 goals in 449 appearances for Man City during a 10-year stay at the club, and the 80-year-old has expressed his pride to have been recognised with a statue along with two of his former teammates.
"This is a truly special moment for me and my family," Summerbee told mancity.com. "I joined Manchester City in 1965 and it is the best decision I could have possibly made. 60 years later, I am still here, still treated with such respect.
"I feel incredibly lucky to be recognised in this way, amongst friends whose contribution to our history this club never forgets, despite the amazing success we have enjoyed in recent years. It is an honour to be part of this extraordinary club."
Speaking on behalf of his late father Colin, Jon Bell said: "This football club meant so much to my father. He gave so much to Manchester City, not just throughout his playing career but beyond it into his later life.
"His bond with this club's supporters was truly exceptional and that he will be remembered in this way forever is something that our whole family is incredibly touched by and will take great pride in."
Speaking on behalf of his late father Francis, Jonny Lee added: "My father enjoyed the most successful period of his career at Manchester City and to see that legacy immortalised in this way is so meaningful to his whole family.
"We only said goodbye to him in recent weeks and it was important to us that the club was at the centre of that. The supporters gave him the most beautiful send-off and to follow that up with such a permanent tribute is everything he could have hoped for."
Man City's latest statue dedicated to club legends follows the previous sculptures of Vincent Kompany and David Silva, unveiled in August 2021, and Sergio Aguero who had his statue revealed in May 2022 to mark the 10-year anniversary of his famous title-winning goal against Queens Park Rangers.
Citizens supporters can view the new statue of Bell, Lee and Summerbee for the first time ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League clash against RB Leipzig.
"This statue honours three players who are unquestionably City legends and have deservedly earned a special place in the history of the club and hearts of the whole City family," said chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak who first announced the project of recognising club legends with a series of tributes in 2019.
"The artist's decision to feature the three men in motion on a single plinth, as well as include the 29 names of their teammates, gives us the opportunity to acknowledge a trophy-winning era of City football history that has, and will, resonate for generations to come."
Manager Pep Guardiola added: "Again, it shows how good this club is. The history and what they did – three legendary, unbelievable persons.
"I think Mike Summerbee will be there (on Tuesday) and he will be incredibly satisfied for the recognition – not just for him, but for Colin Bell and Francis Lee.
"It will be perfect for all the families and is an incredible and well-deserved tribute. We are fortunate to do it for them."
Man City enter Tuesday's game with Leipzig having already qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League, as have their German counterparts, but they can secure top spot in Group G if they avoid defeat at the Etihad. body check tags ::
