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Toure expected Gunners exit

30 Jul 2009 - 13:59:38

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New £16million Manchester City signing Kolo Toure has admitted that he decided to leave Arsenal a few months ago.

The 28-year-old Ivory Coast defender has signed a four-year contract with the Citizens to end a seven-year stint with the Gunners, following Emmanuel Adebayor to Eastlands.

Toure said after being unveiled as City's latest big-money recruit: "There was some talk about coming here. It's from six months ago.

"I was the last one in the Invincibles team (the Arsenal side that went a whole season unbeaten in the league) and I was expecting to leave Arsenal.

"I think Arsenal are a really good team, but it was the right time for me to move.

"First I thought I did not want to leave England, even though other teams came in for me. But it was important not to leave for me and my family.

"Manchester City are a really good team and want to do something. I am really delighted to be here, the future is big.

"The quality is big, there are fantastic players here."