City snap up keeper Pantilimon

05 August 2011 14:14
Manchester City have signed goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon from Poli Timisoara following Shay Given's move to Aston Villa.[LNB] The 24-year-old Romanian joins the club as cover for number one Joe Hart following the departure of Given to Villa Park.[LNB]Pantilimon made his senior international debut in 2008 and played against City twice in the Europa League last season, conceding three times.[LNB]Pantilimon, who was signed for an undisclosed fee, is expected to overtake Stuart Taylor and Gunnar Nielsen - City's other keeping options - to act as Hart's deputy.[LNB]Given joined Villa earlier this summer after losing his battle to displace the England goalkeeper.[LNB]Pantilimon is Roberto Mancini's fourth summer purchase, following left-back Gael Clichy from Arsenal, defender Stefan Savic from Partizan Belgrade and Argentina star Sergio Aguero, who arrived from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth around £38million.[LNB]Arsenal and Inter Milan had also been interested in the player, according to reports.[LNB]Manager Roberto Mancini hopes to bring in "another two or three players" before the transfer deadline at the end of the month.

Source: Team_Talk