MANCESTER CITY

Roque Santa Cruz has finally renewed his successful working relationship with Mark Hughes by becoming the delighted Blues manager's second major signing of the summer at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Hughes plucked highly-rated Paraguay striker Santa Cruz from Bayern Munich two years ago for Blackburn and he responded by scoring 23 goals in 43 games in a great debut season for Rovers.

City's boss was keen for Santa Cruz to join his Blues revolution both last summer and in January, when the clubs were unable to agree a deal, but now the 27-year-old centre-forward follows Gareth Barry into the senior squad.

Roque began his professional career in with Olimpia Asuncion in his home town, helping them to two championship titles and himself to the Paraguayan Footballer of the Year award in 1999.

His eye-catching form earned him a move to Germany and he spent seven years with Bayern, making 155 appearances and helping them to three Bundesliga titles, the domestic double, and the Champions League in 2001.

Roque's brilliant debut season for Rovers - including a hat-trick in a thrilling 5-3 defeat at Wigan - soon convinced other top managers that he would make the Premier League grade, but he went to the head of Hughes' wish list almost as soon as they had parted company at Ewood Park.

Roque made his debut for Paraguay as a 17-year-old and has gone on to win 60 more caps. He is expected to lead their attack at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and clock up a third appearance in the finals.

Quotes from Roque Santa Cruz, who has joined City on a four-year contract, will follow shortly only on mcfc.co.uk

Mark Hughes says that Carlos Tevez is unlikely to play against the Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday, and has also refuted suggestions that Nedum Onuoha would leave the club as a transfer makeweight.

Last Saturday's defeat to Orlando Pirates saw some stellar talent not even make the subs' bench, with Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry and Carlos Tevez sitting out the game after only arriving from Abu Dhabi the day before.

Globe-trotting Tevez started last week in Argentina without a club, and ended it in South Africa as a City player having travelled via Manchester and the Middle East. However, it was not jet lag, but a niggling injury that has kept him out thus far in South Africa, as Mark Hughes explained at Monday afternoon's press conference at the ABSA Stadium ahead of Tuesday's encounter with the Kaizer Chiefs.

"The likelihood is that Gareth will take part tomorrow, but Carlos has not had a training session with the group since arriving because he has had a slightly bruised heel. He will train today, but it is only his first session so it may be a bit soon for him to play tomorrow. But, with a bit of work going into next Saturday's game, the hope is that he will take some part in that one."

There was also news on when another of this summer's acquisitions, Emmanuel Adebayor, will meet his new team mates for the first time.

"Emmanuel is travelling out and should be with us tomorrow," Mark added, "we will see what condition he is in then and I can make a decision with regard to whether he's available for the game at the weekend.

"The group is really excited by the impact of the new players, and they are really looking forward to the challenge of this season. That's due to the high quality we have been able to add to what we already had in the squad, so everybody is excited by what's ahead."

One player who will not be joining the squad in South Africa is Micah Richards, who will continue his recovery from a well-publicised bout of swine flu in Manchester.

"It was confirmed to us last week that he had contracted swine flu, and he was quite ill for two or three days, but thankfully he is now a lot better," Hughes said. "Initially the idea was to bring him here for the second week because he had played internationals late into June, but we were advised it was better if he did not travel. He stays in Manchester, and will have a week's training there before we come back."

The Manager also refuted suggestions made in a newspaper story this morning that Nedum Onuoha would be sold as a makeweight in a deal to bring another defender to the Club.

"I am aware of that story," he added, "and I can say categorically that there is not truth in it whatsoever. Nedum is one of our finest young players, he was outstanding for us last season, and I am not looking to move one of our prize assets away from Manchester City."

Manchester City can announce that Emmanuel Adebayor has passed a medical and signed a five-year contract.

The 25-year-old Togo international has joined the Blues for an undisclosed fee. He will wear the number 25 that he sported at Arsenal last season.

A crowd of around 300 Blues fans were at the City of Manchester Stadium to greet the striker whose was named African Player of the Year for 2008.

The player was hugely impressed by his reception.

“It made me feel really welcome and special and I can’t wait to play for City’s fans and show them what I can do,” he declared after completing the bulk of the paperwork.

“I was born to play football and that is what I want to do. I have come here to make history for this club and those supporters. It what the chairman and the manager told me that they want too and I can’t wait to get started.

After beginning his career in France at Metz, Emmanuel moved to Monaco from where he was signed by the Gunners. Once there he made 104 first team appearances and scored 46 goals. He was named African Player of the Year in 2008.

The 6’ 3” striker’s most productive season in the top flight came in 2007-08 when he notched 24 goals in 36 starts. He was being courted by Milan earlier in the season.

Blues boss Mark Hughes is delighted to have secured the services of yet another high class international star with his peak years still in front of him.

“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,” he declared.

“Along with the other signings we have made in the last two windows he will greatly enhance our ability to compete with the top sides.

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

“He adds vital balance and power to our attack. 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.”

Adebayor will now head out to South Africa to join his new teammates.

City fans should note that the club shop will be open tomorrow from 11am until 5pm.

pergh, ada topik baru ar.. Siti.. hehehehe

apens7 wrote:pergh, ada topik baru ar.. Siti.. hehehehe

lawa siut SITI ni..ade taik lalat lg..ekeke..

city antara salah satu team yg akn memberi saingan kepada arsenal, mancester, liverpool dan chelsea.
munkin juga akn merebut tahta kejuaraan dalam EPL.

along wrote:city antara salah satu team yg akn memberi saingan kepada arsenal, mancester, liverpool dan chelsea.
munkin juga akn merebut tahta kejuaraan dalam EPL.

itu hanya satu kemungkinan..

wlpn ade player bkualiti,adakah pengurusan Hughes benar2 bkesan n mampu membentu kserasian atr player.
mgkn sama je spt tottenham musim lpas dgn pebelian player2 hbat namun dsbbkn manager hampeh,xkemana jua..
smg city BOLEH mghangatkn EPL edisi kali ini..

siti pasti bolehh..

btul la tu man...
tapi kwn rela tgk city juara dari chelsea, arsenal ngn liverpool.. wakakakaka..
kerana mereka juga manchester... hehehhe

apens7 wrote:btul la tu man...
tapi kwn rela tgk city juara dari chelsea, arsenal ngn liverpool.. wakakakaka..
kerana mereka juga manchester... hehehhe

aku sokong sgt2. mancester bleh menang

Etihad Airways


Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, made its first commercial flight in November 2003.

Since then, the airline has grown faster than any other in commercial aviation history, currently serving more than 50 destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline carried 6 million passengers in 2008 and aims to course to break through the seven million passenger barrier in 2009.

Etihad offers the highest standards of service and comfort both on the ground and in the air. Customers can enjoy world-class cuisine, award-winning flat-beds in its premium cabins and the widest seats in economy, as well as more than 600 hours of on-demand in-flight entertainment.

Etihad operates one of youngest and most environmentally-efficient fleets in the world, a fleet which is set to grow to 52 by the end of 2009.


Umbro


Umbro are very proud partners of Manchester City Football Club. Umbro are a global sports apparel company that were born in Manchester and still reside their today. They’ve been a pioneer of sports tailoring for 85 years. The company first supplied Manchester City with kits 75 years ago for the 1934 FA Cup Final which the team won.

Today, the company combines its heritage in sports tailoring with modern football insight to create groundbreaking and iconic football apparel, footwear and equipment that blend performance with style. C’mon City!


Seat Exchange


SeatExchange.com is a leading online secondary ticketing company, providing a safe, secure and guaranteed website for fans to buy and sell tickets to sports, concerts, theatre and other leading events. SeatExchange.com is committed to giving buyers the best possible access to exclusive and sold-out tickets, and for sellers, we offer reliable and easy ways to maximise sales. So whether you’re looking for cricket at Old Trafford, concerts at the MEN Arena, or theatre at the Apollo, SeatExchange.com has tickets for you!

SeatExchange.com also operate the Official Manchester City Seat Exchange, an exclusive service for Manchester City Seasoncard holders to sell, and Citycard holders and other qualifying supporters* to buy tickets for home Premier League fixtures at the City of Manchester Stadium. Supporters are able to view prices, ticket availability and exact seat locations 24 hours a day via the Seat Exchange service, offering access to tickets in the best locations, even for matches that have officially sold out.


Singha Beer


Best known for the lion that graces the front of every bottle, Singha is a premium larger brewed from the finest ingredients. With a 5% ABV, Singha is a 100% full bodied barley malt beer that is distinctly rich in taste with a strong hop character. In the UK Singha is available in the form of 330ml, 630ml bottles and 330ml cans.

Bottled and brewed in Thailand, Singha Beer is the authentic Thai beer and is the number one selling Thai beer in the UK.

*
Goalkeepers
* Shay Given (IRL)
* Joe Hart (ENG)
* Kasper Schmeichel (DEN)
* Stuart Taylor (England)

*
Defenders
* Wayne Bridge (ENG)
* Richard Dunne (IRL)
* Javier Garrido (ESP)
* Micah Richards (ENG)
* Nedum Onuoha (ENG)
* Pablo Zabaleta (ARG)
* Shaleum Logan (ENG)
* Tal Ben-Haim (ISR)

*
Midfielders
* Gareth Barry (ENG)
* Nigel de Jong (NED)
* Elano (BRA)
* Kelvin Etuhu (NGR)
* Martin Petrov (BUL)
* Michael Johnson (ENG)
* Shaun Wright-Phillips (ENG)
* Stephen Ireland (IRL)
* Vincent Kompany (BEL)
* Vladimir Weiss (SVK)

*
Strikers
* Emmanuel Adebayor (TOG)
* Craig Bellamy (WAL)
* Benjani Mwaruwari (ZIM)
* Carlos Tevez (ARG)
* Ched Evans (WAL)
* Felipe Caicedo (ECU)
* Jô (BRA)
* Robinho (BRA)
* Roque Santa Cruz (PRY)
* Valeri Bojinov (BUL)

*
Management
* Eddie Niedzwiecki
* Glyn Hodges
* Kevin Hitchcock
* Mark Bowen
* Mark Hughes

along wrote:

apens7 wrote:btul la tu man...
tapi kwn rela tgk city juara dari chelsea, arsenal ngn liverpool.. wakakakaka..
kerana mereka juga manchester... hehehhe

aku sokong sgt2. mancester bleh menang

yg pentingg jagn team keh nak..kehhsebukkkkk

Khaldoon Al Mubarak
Chairman

Khaldoon is a leading international businessman from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. He runs Mubadala Development Company, one of the world’s largest investment and development organisations with interests in energy, industry, aviation, real estate and corporate finance. As well as City, he is also Chairman of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, established to create the Yas Marina Circuit and oversee the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix.

Khaldoon has often spoken of his commitment to both the academy, and to understanding the proud heritage of the club and its fans. As he says, “The fans are the heart and soul of this club, that's one of the most rewarding aspects of being involved with Manchester City.”

Garry Cook
Chief Executive

Garry joined the club in June 2008, after moving from his role of President of Brand Jordan at Nike, where he’d worked for twelve years. Although he’d been a resident of the USA since 1985, and spent four years in Amsterdam, Garry’s originally from Birmingham. He’s a greatly experienced leader, with expertise at creating and managing global brands and growth – making him ideal for an ambitious Manchester City.

Despite living for so long Stateside, Garry remained a passionate football supporter and can now be found at every match the team plays.
Sidney Rose
Life President

Sidney has been a dedicated supporter of the club since the 1920s. In the mid 60s he was asked to join the board, becoming the director responsible for the welfare of the players. He remained on the board for over 25 years, experiencing during that time the most successful era Manchester City has ever enjoyed. Through his career Sidney remained a doctor and specialist at the top of his profession, frequently lecturing all over the world.

Sydney was granted the prestigious position of Life Vice President of the club after leaving the board, and still attends games at the City of Manchester Stadium, despite living part time in Cape Town.
Eric Alexander
Honorary President

Eric joined the board back in the 60s and was Chairman of the club in the early 1970s. He remained a director of the club right up until the 1980s. His family have always been steeped in Manchester City, their proud association with the club going back three generations. Eric’s father, too, was Chairman of the club, in 1969 – the last time City won the FA Cup.

Eric even played for the club at youth level before moving upstairs, and he also owned a successful sports business in Manchester.
Sir Howard Bernstein
Honorary President

Howard is the Chief Executive of Manchester City Council and was the major player in bringing about our move from Maine Road to the City of Manchester Stadium. Over the years, he’s supported the club and the city itself in equal measure, and has had a huge influence in the construction of modern Manchester.

One of his greatest achievements as Chief Executive was bringing the enormously successful Commonwealth Games to the city in 2002.
Tony Book
Honorary President

‘Skip’ lifted more trophies as captain of Manchester City than any other player in the history of the club. He joined City in 1966, and was named Footballer of the Year after a wonderful first season in a legendary team, managed by Mercer and Alison.

When he hung up his boots, Tony’s association with City was just starting. He became team coach, assistant manager, and then manager in 1974. He managed the club for six years, playing regularly in Europe as well as finishing runners-up in the 1977 League Championship. Along with his many other honours, he’s now President of the overall Supporters’ Club.
Raymond Donn
Honorary President

As well as being a former Director of Altrincham FC, Raymond is an influential solicitor with a number of offices around Manchester. In fact, his company is ranked as one of the UK’s leading personal injury firms. He has been a major shareholder in Manchester City and is a lifelong supporter, still following City as avidly as ever.
Ian Niven MBE
Honorary President

A lifelong supporter of the club and part of a proud six generation City-supporting family, Ian is one of those rare fans that can tell you about the times back in the 30s from first hand recollections. Ian joined the board in 1971 and remained until 1995.
During that time he oversaw the development of Maine Road, and identified the need for City to own their training pitch, leading to the club buying Platt Fields Park, creating the first academy in the country. Ian was awarded an MBE for his services to the community, particularly his work in Moss Side.
Keith Pinner
Honorary President

Keith, a fanatical Blue, was born in Manchester and has lived and worked in the city all his life. A former policeman, Keith opened a business that obtained the sponsorship for the Football League, the Football Association and eventually the Premier League. The company was hugely successful, having brought such recognisable sponsors as Barclays and Carling to the sport.

Keith is unrivalled in his experience of football sponsorship and now also now has the honour of running the Press Association and the League Managers Association.
Tudor Thomas
Honorary President

A loyal supporter of the club since just after the Second World War, Tudor and his wife still follow the club wherever they play. The City of Manchester Stadium holds The Tudor Room, a room where he still entertains match officials and scouts on behalf of the club, surrounded by memorabilia that he has collected in his 60 years of loyal support.

A major supporter of the academy and a prominent businessman in Stockport, Tudor has helped fundraising with the academy for many years, a role his family still proudly fulfil today.
Mark Hughes
Team Manager

Mark enjoyed a sparkling playing career at a string of top clubs including Barcelona, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Everton, winning 72 caps for Wales before turning to management with the same determined attitude.

He led Wales to an unprecedented unbeaten run of ten matches between 2001-2003, putting Italy and Germany to the sword and taking them to within a play-off defeat by Russia of Euro 2004 qualification. Mark then turned to club football and Blackburn, reaching two FA Cup semi-finals in four years and cementing his reputation as one of the most sought after young British managers in the game. He left Blackburn to join City in June 2008.
Bernard Halford
General Secretary

Bernard’s career in football began at Oldham Athletic, where he was made (by Ken Bates) the youngest secretary in football at just 23. In 1972 he made the dream move to his beloved Manchester City, in the role of General Secretary. After many years of loyal service Bernard was given the privilege of locking the gates for the last time at Maine Road.

Bernard is now Vice President of the Supporters Club, as well as being president of many supporters’ branches around the country. He still insists he has the best job in the world, and has been given the honour of being the only non-player in the club’s Hall of Fame.
Mark Bowen
Assistant Manager

Assistant manager Mark arrived from Blackburn in June 2008, having played a key part in Rovers' success under his old team-mate Mark Hughes. Before moving to Ewood Park, Mark was Steve Bruce's assistant at Crystal Palace and then Birmingham City, where he helped seal promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2002.

As a player, Mark played in Tottenham’s UEFA Cup-winning side of 1984 during a six-year spell at White Hart Lane, before joining Norwich City for a decade that propelled him into their Hall of Fame's 'All Time XI'. His goal against Bayern Munich, instrumental in a famous 2-1 UEFA Cup win, must have won him a few votes.
Eddie Niedzwiecki
First Team Coach

Nice-guy Eddie was unlucky enough to be a top Welsh goalkeeper at the same time as Neville Southall was recognised as the best in the world. Despite winning just two caps, his never-say-die professionalism struck a chord with team mate Hughes. He played 111 games for Mark's hometown team Wrexham before signing for Chelsea, where he helped win promotion to the top flight only to be forced to retire at only 28 due to injuries.

After his playing career had ended, Eddie coached at Stamford Bridge before becoming Arsenal's reserve team coach. He then took on a part-time role with Wales, which led to his association with Mark Hughes.
Glyn Hodges
Reserve Team Manager

Born in Streatham, Glyn played 18 times for Wales, and made over 200 appearances for Wimbledon. Further travels took him to Hong Kong, Hull, Nottingham Forest and Scarborough.

After his playing career came to an end he linked up again with his former Crazy Gang mentor Dave Basset, who was then in charge at Oakwell. He then had two spells as caretaker manager of Barnsley, where his progress impressed Mark Hughes. He put Glyn in charge of the Welsh under-21s, then recruited him to his backroom team at Blackburn. He’s now been prised from Blackburn to take up a similar role as reserve-team manager.
Kevin Hitchcock
Goalkeeping Coach

Goalkeeping coach Kevin spent most of his career at Chelsea, where a series of injuries at the wrong time restricted his appearances behind a succession of goalkeeping rivals including Dave Beasant and Ed de Goey.

He was signed from Mansfield and in 12 years at the Stamford Bridge club he played 96 League games in total, before moving into coaching at Watford and then Blackburn. A committed professional and excellent trainer, Gianluca Vialli described him as "the lad that everybody loves".
Jim Cassell
Academy Manager

After working for nineteen years in local government, Jim became the Chief Scout at Oldham Athletic, where he was responsible for initiating the wonderfully successful scouting and youth policy. He joined Manchester City in July 1997 to oversee the development of the Academy. Jim is a former professional himself, having played for Bury FC before being forced to retire due to a knee injury.

Jim has been responsible for the golden era of the accademy, bringing through player after player for the first team and gaining the academy the deserved reputation as one of the best and most prolific football academies in the world. Jim’s academy has now become a model of success for other clubs to emulate.
Mike Rigg
Technical Director

Mike’s impressive CV includes roles as the Academy manager of Sheffield Wednesday, Technical Director for the Wales FA and Chief Scout at Blackburn Rovers. Mike joined City in the summer of 2008 along with Mark, the two of them having worked well together at Blackburn and enjoyed a high success rate in the transfer market.

Mike’s main responsibilities include the management and organisation of scouting and player recruitment. His aim to build and co-ordinate a network of staff to best identify and monitor the finest football talent throughout the world.

*
Chairman
Khaldoon Al Mubarak
*
Chief Executive
Garry Cook
*
Life President
Sidney Rose
*
Honorary Presidents
Eric AlexanderSir Howard BernsteinTony BookRaymond DonnIan Niven MBEKeith PinnerTudor Thomas
*
Team Manager
Mark Hughes
*
General Secretary
Bernard Halford
*
Assistant Manager
Mark Bowen
*
First Team Coach
Eddie Niedzwiecki
*
Reserve Team Manager
Glyn Hodges
*
Goalkeeping Coach
Kevin Hitchcock
*
Academy Manager
Jim Cassell
*
Technical Director
Mike Rigg

Nominated Charities 2008/09

Usaha terakhir untuk dapatkan kapten Chelsea

LONDON: Manchester City akan membuat tawaran sensasi saat terakhir dengan menawarkan gaji £1 juta (RM5.89 juta) sebulan kepada kapten Chelsea, John Terry dalam usaha mendapatkan tandatangannya.

Chelsea semakin yakin mereka mampu mencapai persetujuan untuk mengekalkan tonggak pertahanan tengah itu, tetapi Mark Hughes sudah diberitahu oleh pemilik City untuk mendapatkan kapten England ‘tanpa mengira kos’. Mereka juga bersedia untuk membayar £50 juta (RM348.5 juta) untuk ‘mencurinya’ daripada Chelsea.

Hughes akan membuat tawaran itu dalam masa 48 jam akan datang. City percaya Terry adalah tunjang rancangan mereka untuk bersaing dengan kelab terbesar itu.

Pengurus City itu tiada keraguan pemilik Sheik Mansour dan pengerusi, Khaldoon al Mubarak akan memberikan sokongan kewangan sepenuhnya yang diperlukan untuk memecahkan rekod perpindahan British buat tahun kedua berturut-turut.

Pemilik Chelsea, Roman Abramovich sudah mengadakan perbincangan dengan Terry dalam usaha terdesak untuk mengekalkan kapten mereka, yang dijangka membuat keputusan pada hujung minggu ini. Tetapi pemilik City, memberitahu Hughes untuk melakukan pembelian ‘yang akan membuka mata dunia’.
Mark Hughes

City sudah menyaksikan dua tawaran mencecah £32 juta (RM188.48 juta) ditolak bagi pemain yang akan meningkat usia 29 tahun pada Disember. Mereka bersedia untuk meningkatkan perjanjian seminggu Terry £135,000 (RM795.15) kepada £250,000 (RM1.472 juta) yang setaraf dengan £200,000 (RM1.178 juta) seminggu yang akan diraih Cristiano Ronaldo dalam tahun pertamanya di Real Madrid.

Terry, kapten Chelsea, dipercayai berfikir dua kali dengan tawaran gaji besar itu. Dia juga kecewa dengan ketiadaan pembelian nama-nama besar di Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea berkata mereka tidak akan dipaksa untuk menawarkan perjanjian baru buat Terry, tetapi secara peribadi memujuknya dengan menyatakan bahawa dia akan menerima gaji sama seperti yang diraih pemain berpendapatan besar, Frank Lampard dan Michael Ballack, dengan £140,000 seminggu (RM824.6). - Daily Mail

Manchester City can confirm that Ecuador international striker Felipe Caicedo has joined Sporting Lisbon in Portugal on a season long loan.

HANGZHOU: Pengurus Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson melabelkan kelab boros Manchester City sebagai 'kelab kecil' yang 'angkuh' dan 'bodoh' ketika pasukannya bersedia menamatkan sesi Jelajah Asia.

Dalam wawancara bersama akhbar Inggeris ketika jelajah pra-musim United, jurulatih berbangsa Scotland itu berkata adalah sukar buat City untuk memecahkan penguasaan empat kelab utama Liga Perdana, di sebalik berbelanja besar musim panas ini.

Dia turut melahirkan kemarahan pada papan tanda di tengah bandar Manchester yang tertulis "Selamat Datang ke Manchester" di bawah grafik warna biru bintang Argentina, Carlos Tevez, yang berpindah ke musuh utama United musim ini.

"Papan tanda itu? Ia tindakan City, betul tak?" kata Ferguson. "Mereka kelab kecil dengan mentaliti kecil. Apa yang sering mereka perkatakan ialah mengenai Manchester United.

"Itu saja yang mereka lakukan dan mereka tidak boleh melepaskan diri daripadanya. Apa yang mereka lakukan sekarang hanyalah satu kebodohan.

"Keangkuhan itu akan mendapatkan habuannya mengikut caranya sendiri. Ia cuma untuk menyaingi kami. Itu saja yang mereka lakukan.

"Mereka berpendapat dengan mengambil Tevez dari Manchester United adalah satu kejayaan. Ia cukup memalukan, walaupun saya berpendapat memang dia akan pergi ke City sejak sekian lama."

Ferguson berkata kejayaan terbesar City ialah mendapatkan pemain untuk menuju ke Eastlands dan mereka menuju ke sana kerana wang.

"Saya tidak tahu sama ada mereka dapat melakukan apa-apa. Bukan mudah untuk menyelitkan diri dalam empat kelompok utama, maka kejayaan terbesar mereka ketika ini ialah untuk mendapatkan semua pemain berbakat ke situ. Mereka mungkin tidak melepasi selepas peringkat itu," katanya.

"Mereka datang kerana wang, itu tarikan utama kepada pemain sekarang ini. Itu sebab utama mereka pergi ke situ. Pada saat akhir, daripada apa yang saya ketahui, Emmanuel Adebayor ataupun ejennya menelefon kami selepas dia bersetuju perjanjian bersama City dan kemudian dia melakukan perkara yang sama kepada Chelsea.

"Anda bertanya kenapa dia pergi ke Manchester City dan ia hanya disebabkan satu perkara... dia terdesak untuk ke United atau Chelsea," kata Ferguson. - AFP'

Pertahanan Arsenal penawar buat Man City selepas gagal pikat Terry

LONDON: Kelab kaya, Manchester City yang kecewa di atas kegagalan 'memancing' kapten England, John Terry kini sudah berjaya dalam misi menambah koleksi pemain bintang apabila memikat pemain pertahanan Arsenal, Kolo Toure dengan nilai £15 juta (RM88.5 juta).

Pemain berusia 28 tahun itu sudah bersetuju dengan terma peribadi untuk mendapatkan gaji sekitar £120,000 (RM708,000) seminggu dan dia akan diperkenalkan hujung minggu ini dan difahamkan mungkin beraksi dalam perlawanan persahabatan menentang Barnsley, Sabtu ini.

Persetujuan pemain itu berpindah ke kelab baru bererti ia menamatkan penantian sembilan bulan pengurus pasukan, Mark Hughes yang sudah lama berminat membawa pemain Ivory Coast itu ke kelabnya sejak November lalu.

Toure adalah antara tiga pemain pertahanan yang menjadi sasarannya selepas gagal mendapatkan Terry yang membuat pendirian tegas akan terus kekal di Chelsea.

Bagi Arsenal ia sekadar menambah sengsara mereka selepas kehilangan penyerang, Emmanuel Adebayor yang turut berpindah lebih awal ke City untuk melemahkan jentera The Gunners dalam buruan kekal di kelompok ‘Big Four’ di Liga Perdana Inggeris.

Apapun, Hughes difahamkan masih mahu mencari dua lagi pemain tengah yang menyaksikan misi berbelanja besar City berterusan lagi.

Kehadiran Toure akan membantu menyelesaikan masalah pemain bek tengah City selepas Richard Dunne dan Micah Richards didapati merosot prestasi. - Agensi

MANCHESTER, England 30 Julai - Pemain Arsenal Kolo Toure menyertai Manchester City pagi ini dengan kontrak empat tahun bagi menguatkan pertahanan kelab Liga Perdana England (EPL) yang berbelanja besar itu.

Pemain pertahanan Ivory Coast itu menyertai City dengan bayaran perpindahan 14 juta pound (RM41 juta) selepas tujuh tahun bersama Gunners.

Penghijrahan Toure bermakna berakhirnya era pemain skuad `invincibles’ Arsenal yang mencatat rekod tanpa kalah 49 perlawanan dalam EPL musim 2003-04. - AP

Manchester City are delighted to announce that Kolo Toure has joined from Arsenal.

The central defender who spent seven years with the Gunners has signed a four-year contract and becomes the sixth summer signing.

He passed a medical late this afternoon, headed straight to the Blues headquarters to finalise paper work and then spoke exclusively to mcfc.co.uk.

“It is always difficult to leave a place where you have spent the last eight years and had good times but I felt the time was right for a new challenge and I am still at an age, 28, where I feel I am at my peak and will play my best football," revealed the former Arsenal central defender.

“For me it was time to move but only for the right club and I feel that Manchester City is that club. The ambition here is clear to see and is big. Everyone knows this club is moving and that is really, really important.

“I still want to achieve things and I feel as though I can bring something to City and that is what I will be striving to do. It is not just about quality on the pitch it is about blending as a team and with my experience I think I can help City do just that.”

Boss Mark Hughes who added Kolo to other new faces in England midfielder Gareth Barry, strikers Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Roque Santa Cruz and goalkeeper Stuart Taylor believes that the Ivory Coast star will be a huge influence in the dressing room and on the pitch.

"I am delighted to welcome Kolo to Manchester City. 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,” he declared.

“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.”