City sign Toure

Manchester City have signed Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure from Premier League rivals Arsenal for around £16 million.

Toure, 28, whose team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor joined City earlier this month, has signed a four-year deal with Mark Hughes' side, the club said on their website.

City are in the market for defenders after compiling an impressive forward line in the close season.

"It is no secret that we have been looking to strengthen our defence and in Kolo I feel we have recruited a world-class player," said City manager Mark Hughes.

They have also had bids rejected for Everton defender Joleon Lescott and Chelsea and England captain John Terry.

The big-spending club have already signed striking trio Roque Santa Cruz of Paraguay from Blackburn Rovers, Argentina's Carlos Tevez and Togo international Adebayor.

England midfielder Gareth Barry has also joined from Aston Villa with the club having now spent over £90m.

Toure joined Arsenal from Ivorian club Asec Mimosas in February 2002 and won the FA Cup at the end of his first season in 2003.

Originally a utility player, he quickly emerged as a first choice centre-back alongside Sol Campbell in a 2004 season which saw Arsenal win the Premier League undefeated with a team dubbed 'the invincibles'.

A second FA Cup the following season was to be Toure's last winner's medal for the north London club, although Arsenal came close to success in the Champions League before losing 2-1 to Barcelona in the 2006 final.

Toure, who made 326 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, suffered a dip in form last season playing alongside Frenchman William Gallas and British media reported he had a transfer request rejected which he then later withdrew.

"Kolo has been a central figure in a very strong Arsenal team for many years and I have been an admirer of his for a long time," added Hughes. "He is strong, quick, reads the game well and will be an influential figure in the dressing room."

Arsenal have since strengthened their backline with the signing of Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax Amsterdam in a deal worth £12m and Swiss defender Philippe Senderos has returned to the club from a loan spell at Milan.

City, considered the richest club in the world, are bankrolled by wealthy Arab owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan and are expected to compete for Champions League qualification next season.

Via: Yahoo! Sport

Man City lose to disputed goal in South Africa

A disputed goal saw Manchester City suffer a second defeat on their three-match tour of South Africa, beaten 1-0 by home side Kaizer Chiefs at Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Chiefs' midfielder Jeffrey Ntuka brought the ball under control with his hand before shooting home the winner from a corner in the 42nd minute of City's last match of their week-long visit.

Emmanuel Adebayor made his debut after signing from Arsenal and the Togolese international wasted a good chance to equalise, shooting over the top from close range in the 55th minute.

Via: Yahoo! Sport

Adebayor completes City move

Manchester City continued their spending spree with the signing of Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £25 million.

The 25-year-old Togo international, who has penned a five-year contract, joins an impressive City forward line.

The big-spending Premier League club already boasts Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz, also signed in the close season, plus Robinho, Craig Bellamy and Benjani Mwaruwari.

City are bankrolled by wealthy Arab owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan and considered the richest club in the world.

"I have come here to make history for this club and those supporters. It's what the chairman and the manager told me they want too and I can't wait to get started," Adebayor said.

City manager Mark Hughes added: "Emmanuel has been one of the top forwards in the Premier League since he arrived from France and we are delighted he has agreed to come and join us.

"His arrival is another clear indication that we are determined to augment the players we have here with the best of international talent."

Adebayor joined Arsenal in 2006 from AS Monaco as a relative unknown and began attracting interest from other clubs after a career best tally of 30 goals in 48 games in the 2007-08 season.

The lanky frontman was deprived of a strike partner at Arsenal for much of last season following injury lay-offs to team mates Robin van Persie and Eduardo but still hit 16 goals, including 10 in the Premier League.

Adebayor did not win a trophy with Arsenal, the closest he came was in the 2007 League Cup final during which he was sent off in the defeat by Chelsea.

He was cup-tied for Arsenal's 2006 Champions League final after playing in earlier rounds for Monaco.

"We'll miss him but, of course, we want to focus on the players who are with us at the moment and want to wish him well and thank him for what he has done for the club," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

"I'm sure he will give something special to Man City," he added just before the deal was announced.

City manager Mark Hughes has set about creating a side ready to challenge for Champions League qualification next season.

Adebayor is City's fourth major signing of the transfer window following Tevez, who joined from Manchester United with a reported fee of £25.5m paid to his representatives, Santa Cruz who arrived from Blackburn Rovers and England midfielder Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.

"He adds vital balance and power to our attack," added Hughes. "He has everything a top forward needs. He is versatile, powerful, quick and agile on the ball.

"I am looking forward to working with him as are the rest of the staff. He will definitely add a new dimension to our play. I have been a great admirer for a long time."

The 2008 African Footballer of the Year, who will now head out to South Africa to join City's tour, scored 62 goals in 142 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal.

Via: Yahoo! Sport

Tevez agrees move to City

Manchester City have announced they have reached an agreement to sign Argentine striker Carlos Tevez.

The 25-year-old, who left city rivals United at the end of last season, has agreed personal terms and is expected to pen a five-year deal at Eastlands.

City have confirmed the deal has been ratified by the Premier League and the Football Association, and Tevez is expected to have a medical shortly before meeting up with his new team-mates on their pre-season tour to South Africa.

Manager Mark Hughes told the club website: "It is terrific news. Carlos is an international player of the highest class who possesses all the attributes that will help drive this club forward."

He added: "He is not only outstanding technically but he is a reliable goalscorer and someone who will contribute fully to the team ethic. He gives us another exciting attacking dimension.

"I cannot wait to welcome him to City."

With rumours swirling round Manchester that Emmanuel Adebayor is about to be offered a five-year contract to leave Arsenal and continuing speculation over the future of Chelsea skipper John Terry, it is clear City are a club on the march.

It is Hughes' job to mould a team from the succession of star names being welcomed to the club, although it is a task to relish rather than one to fear, with ambition coursing through the veins of City's Abu Dhabi-based backers.

"This is yet another deal that shows the commitment of owner Sheikh Mansour to make this club the best it can possibly be," said Hughes.

"I am sure our fans will give Carlos an exceptionally warm welcome."

Via: Yahoo! Sport