Toure signs City deal

Toure: Four-year deal

In Kolo I feel we have recruited a world-class player. He brings a wealth of Premier League experience from his seven seasons with Arsenal.

Mark Hughes
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Kolo Toure has signed a four-year deal at Manchester City for a fee reported to be in the region of £16million.

The former Arsenal defender agreed personal terms at Eastlands earlier on Wednesday and successfully passed a medical later in the day.

A severance package, which was thought to be a stumbling block, for Toure has now been agreed with the Gunners and the Ivory Coast star has completed his move after seven seasons at Emirates Stadium.

City boss Mark Hughes is pleased to have signed the versatile defender and believes that he will add world-class ability.

"I am delighted to welcome Kolo to Manchester City," The Welshman told the club's official website.

"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. He brings a wealth of Premier League experience from his seven seasons with Arsenal.

Strong

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

There have been suggestions that City are offering lucrative wages, but Toure's agent, Saif Rubie, insists his client has moved for footballing reasons.

Rubie told Sky Sports News: "Kolo is very ambitious at this time in his career. He was very impressed with (owner) Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak's vision for the club.

"For him, it is a new challenge he is very excited with what Mark Hughes is doing at the club and sees himself as a lynchpin for the team."

Rubie added: "Anybody who knows Kolo Toure knows that he is a man that plays and fights with his heart."

Everton's Joleon Lescott is thought to be next on City's wanted list after a bid of £15million was rejected by the Toffees earlier in July.

Hughes is understood to be ready to table an improved offer to the Goodison Park hierarchy for the England defender.