Striker swoop pleases Sven
06 Feb 2008 - 07:53:54
Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson revealed he jumped at the chance to sign Benjani Mwaruwari after finally completing the capture of the former Portsmouth striker.
The Zimbabwe international finally put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year contract at Eastlands on Tuesday after a move which had looked to have collapsed late on transfer deadline day was successful resurrected via input from the Premier League.
Benjani joined the Citizens for an initial fee of £3.87million and Eriksson is delighted with the acquisition.
"He's a very good footballer, he's scored 12 goals in the league so far this season which is a good record," he told the club's official website.
"When we had the opportunity to take him, I did not hesitate at all, my reaction was 'yes, let's take him.'
"He's 29, he has a lot of experience, he's very strong and is a proven goalscorer. We need that, that's for sure."
Eriksson is now hoping to have the striker available for Sunday's derby with Manchester United.
"I think he will fit in very well, he's played by himself for Portsmouth many times and I hope he can play on Sunday," he continued.
"He's always been a hard worker. I know people who worked with him at Grasshopper FC in Zurich a few years ago and they said he was a goalscorer and a hard worker even then and it's good if you can have that combination in a player.
"I don't know him well yet, but he looks very lively and is always looking around him to see what's going on. I'm sure he will be a very good signing for us."
