Manchester City winter signing Nico Gonzalez was forced in the first half of his debut against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fourth round.

The midfielder completed a move to the Premier League champions on transfer deadline day after Man City reportedly paid the €60m (£49.9m) release clause in his Porto contract.

Nico subsequently put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year deal to keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2029.

The Spain Under-21 international followed Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Omar Marmoush in joining Man City in the winter market.

Man City signed Nico in the hope that he could help fill the void left by Rodri's absence, as the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner continues to work on his rehabiliation from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Debut time 💪🩵 pic.twitter.com/VHKbio5VbQ

— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 8, 2025

Nico handed Man City debut

Nico was thrown straight in his debut in Man City's FA Cup fourth-round clash against League One Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road.

Guardiola opted to name Nico in a strong starting lineup which included the likes of Rico Lewis, Ruben Dias, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, Savinho and Marmoush.

The early signs seemed promising for Nico when he produced an inch-perfect ball to send Savinho in behind the Leyton Orient line.

The Brazilian met the lofted pass on the full, playing the ball to the far post where Gundogan directed it wide of Josh Keeley's goal.

22. CITY SUB | We're forced into an early change.

🔴 1-0 💛 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/xY7lddZrkP

— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 8, 2025

Nico forced off with injury

However, Nico's Man City debut quickly turned when he was forced off after picking up an injury in the lead-up to Orient's surprise opener.

Nico was dispossessed by Sonny Perkins in the middle of the park, with the Orient attacker falling on the Man City midfielder after making the challenge.

Jamie Donley pounced on the loose ball to unleash an audacious strike from around 45 yards out, with the effort crashing against the crossbar and off the back of Stefan Ortega before nestling in the net.

Man City players appealed for a potential foul on Nico, but the referee ruled that it was a fair challenge, ensuring Orient could celebrate a surprise opener.

Nico attempted to play on following the opener, but he was ultimately forced off in the 22nd minute by Bernardo Silva after being tended to by Man City's medical staff.

The Citizens will now have an anxious wait to learn the full extent of Nico's injury, especially as they are just days away from facing Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League knockout round playoff.