City sign Seaman

Kevin Keegan has moved to snap up the Arsenal veteran after uncertainty surrounded the England international's future at Highbury, and the deal has already been agreed with the final details being inked later in the month.

Although Arsene Wenger wanted to keep the long-serving former Queens Park Rangers keeper on his staff, with a brief of assisting with coaching duties, the number one slot would have been handed to a new summer signing.

This clearly did not suit Seaman, who, despite being 39, still feels he is capable of performing regularly at the highest level.

"I believe I can play an important part in helping Manchester City establish itself as a contender for trophies," he told City's official website. 

"The club has a massive army of loyal fans, a new state of the art world-class stadium from next season and in Kevin Keegan, a manager who craves success and has a genuine passion for the game.

"I have given this move an enormous amount of thought and I honestly believe that the time is right for me to move on to a new challenge.

"I want at least one more season of guaranteed first team football in The Premiership, and honestly feel I am as fit as I have ever been.

"I have had 13 fantastic years at Arsenal, winning more trophies than I could ever have hoped for and working with world-class players," he added on Arsenal's official site.

"I have also had the privilege to work with great managers, like Arsene Wenger and George Graham, who have both been a massive support to me both professionally and personally during my time at Arsenal.

"But I want to say a special thank you to the Arsenal fans who have made Highbury feel like my own back garden when I played there."

David James may have possession of the England number one jersey, but Sven Goran Eriksson has confirmed that he will still consider Seaman's merits if the keeper is still playing in The Premiership next term.

The Yorkshire-born ace has experienced some high-profile blunders during his career, but won the nation's hearts with his outstanding displays in Euro 96.

Cruelly lampooned for allowing Ronaldinho's rather fortunate free-kick to loop over him to send England crashing out of last year's World Cup, Seaman battled back to overcome niggling injuries in order to play a key part in Arsenal's campaign.

Indeed, his miraculous save from Paul Peschisolido during the FA Cup semi-final with Sheffield United was surely the best stop of the entire season.

Keegan knows all about Seaman's professionalism and character, having worked with him in the England set-up, and the Highbury legend replaces another veteran in the shape of Peter Schmeichel, who has retired.

It is understood that Keegan wanted another experienced figure between the posts next term when City move into The City of Manchester Stadium and embark on a European adventure in the Uefa Cup.

The deal will be formally rubber-stamped when City officials return from their holidays, but the transfer has been agreed.

"Certain formalities have been concluded but nothing will be completely firmed up until later this month when people return from holiday," confirmed SFX agent Jon Holmes.

"David is a free agent at the end of his contract so he was able to start taking decisions.

"I think Manchester City will unveil him later this month," he told Sky Sports. 

"He had a very good time at Arsenal and will be excited about moving on to a new stage in his career.

"I think he still wants to play at the highest level he possibly can."

City have also signed Michael Tarnat from Bayern Munich, as earlier reported.