Toure excited by City switch

02 July 2010 18:03
Manchester City's latest big-name signing Yaya Toure is convinced the club are poised to join the European elite.[LNB] City today stepped up their latest summer spending spree by signing Toure from Barcelona on a five-year deal.[LNB]The 28-year-old, who joins his brother Kolo at Eastlands, won the Champions League with Barca in 2009 and believes City will soon be contesting that same title.[LNB]Toure told the club's website, www.mcfc.co.uk: "I'm very happy to sign for Manchester City.[LNB]"I love the Premier League and I watch it all the time and City did very well to finish fifth, but I hope we can improve on that by qualifying for the Champions League.[LNB]"This is a big club and that has to be our first objective and then we have to look at winning championships as well."[LNB]The Ivory Coast international finalised his move to City this week following the end of his country's involvement in the World Cup.[LNB]The fee remains undisclosed but reports earlier this week suggested the deal could have been worth as much as £28million.[LNB]That would take City's spending this summer beyond £60million following the £10.5million capture of Jerome Boateng from Hamburg and the arrival of David Silva from Valencia for a reported £24million.[LNB]And the club, who spent £120million last summer, have also been linked with a move for Aston Villa's England international James Milner.[LNB]That would further increase the competition for midfield places in a squad that already includes the likes of Gareth Barry, Patrick Vieira, Nigel de Jong and Vincent Kompany.[LNB]Manager Roberto Mancini is pleased with the way his squad is developing and believes he has made a strong acquisition in Toure.[LNB]The Italian said: "This is another fantastic signing for Manchester City, and I am very pleased Yaya has joined us, he is a very good player.[LNB]"Everyone knows Yaya is a player that we have admired for a long time, and we would like to welcome him to Manchester City.[LNB]"He has played at the top level with Barcelona and I am sure his experience and ability will be very important for us."[LNB]Toure, who also won two Spanish Primera Division titles in his three years at the Nou Camp, is pleased to be linking up with Kolo, the defender and team captain.[LNB]He said: "This is a dream come true, I have always wanted to play for the same club as my brother and I'm so happy that it has finally happened.[LNB]"It's great for our family, we're all so happy about it.[LNB]"Kolo told me it's an amazing time for the club and a very exciting project. They want to make some big signings, and I needed a big challenge."[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk