Manchester City finally snap up Joleon Lescott on five-year deal

26 August 2009 10:20
Manchester City finally concluded the £22million signing of Joleon Lescott from Everton after a day of haggling over agents' fees. The England defender will finally get a chance to train with his new team-mates this morning after completing his move from Goodison Park. Although the Toffees accepted a bid, reported to be worth £22million, for the27-year-old on Sunday and Lescott passed his medical and agreed personal terms the following afternoon, it was late last night when the deal was officially confirmed. The former Wolves star joins on a five-year contract understood to be worth £94,000 a week. But with all the associated fees now settled, City can parade their eighth newarrival since the end of last season alongside veteran full-back Sylvinho, who has joined on a one-year deal after being released by Barcelona in June. JOLEON LESCOTT FACTFILE 1982: Born August 16, in Birmingham. 2000: August 13 - Makes league debut for Wolves in 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday, three days before his 18th birthday. 2002: September - Makes England Under-21 debut in 1-1 draw against Yugoslavia at Bolton's Reebok Stadium. 2003: May - With Lescott prominent, Wolves beat Sheffield United 3-0 in the play-offs to gain promotion to the Premier League. Named club player of the year. August - Undergoes surgery on both knees during the summer, after cartilage trouble, and misses the start of the season. November - Wolves rule Lescott out for the rest of the season, after another operation, but express confidence that the defender is on the road to recovery. 2004: August - After Wolves' relegation, Lescott returns from injury for the start of the 2004-05 season. 2006: June 1 - Joins Everton for around £5million. 2007: Named Everton's players' player of the season after being ever-present in the league in his debut campaign. October 13 - Makes England senior debut as half-time substitute for Rio Ferdinand in Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia at Wembley. 2008: March 12 - Agrees new deal to keep him at Goodison Park until 2012. 2009: July 30 - Everton confirm they have rejected Manchester City's latest offer of £18million for Lescott. August 25 - City confirm they have signed Lescott from Everton on a five-year deal. Lescott, who will be unveiled at a press conference later this morning, could now make his debut at Portsmouth on Sunday, where he is set to partner Kolo Toure in central defence. Lescott told www.mcfc.co.uk: 'I'm over the moon to get the move completed, and I'm looking forward to training with the lads as I've not trained for a few days. 'I know some of the lads already - I'm close friends with Shaun (Wright-Phillips), we've played against each other since we were 16 or 17. The way this club is moving on, I'm really looking forward to being a part of that.' Hughes has now completely reshaped his squad since his arrival last year. The Welshman has spent in excess of £120million this summer alone, althoughhaving won their opening two games this term, optimism is high at City that they can go some way to matching the hype. Hughes said: 'In bringing Joleon to the club I feel we have recruited a defender of the very highest quality. 'He can play in a number of defensive positions, and I'm positive he will make a significant impact for us.' Yet amid the relief at Lescott's arrival being confirmed, it now seems inevitable skipper Richard Dunne will be leaving. The Irishman has previously expressed a desire to remain part of the Eastlandsrevolution. Yet, knowing he can no longer be regarded as a first choice and with Nedum Onuoha's future secured by the long-term contract he signed during the summer,Dunne might accept he must leave, with Aston Villa said to have already declaredtheir interest in the form of a £6million bid.

Source: Daily_Mail