City clinch Robinho coup

Robinho: Statement of intent

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Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Robinho from Real Madrid for a British record fee of £32.5million.

Robinho has accepted a move to the City of Manchester Stadium having previously expressed a wish to join Chelsea.

The Brazilian had been looking to leave Real Madrid after being disappointed by the lack of a new contract at the Bernabeu.

At a press conference held in Madrid on Sunday, Robinho reiterated his desire to leave Real in order to sign for Chelsea.

Real, who had rejected several bids from Chelsea over the summer, were reluctant to allow the forward to move to Stamford Bridge.

However, City's record-breaking offer persuaded Real to sell and Robinho has signed a four-year contract with the cash-rich club.

Incredible talent

City boss Mark Hughes, who had also been trying to sign Dimitar Berbatov, could not contain his delight at clinching a swoop for the 24-year-old.

"I am absolutely delighted to get the opportunity to work with such an incredible talent like Robinho," Hughes told the club's official website.

"I have said that in order to compete with the best teams in the Premier League we have to be in the market for players of this calibre, and Robinho is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world.

"I am really looking forward to introducing him to the rest of the squad, and to the City fans at the earliest opportunity.

"This is a real statement of intent as to the ambitions of Manchester City Football Club."