OFFICIAL: Manchester City lands Otamendi

Manchester City have signed Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia on a five-year contract for a rumoured sum of £32 million. The  Argentine centre-back was rumoured to be joining local rivals Manchester United but will now ply his trade at the Etihad. The player will wear the jersey no. 30 and become City’s third major signing of the summer.

The player was delighted to have signed for them and was quoted as saying : “I am here to give my best, to fight game by game and push City to the highest peaks for as long as possible, and I wish we will be able to win several cups and titles.

“That’s the most important. To be here inside a club that looks so wonderful from the outside is a dream.”

The manager was overjoyed to have secured the Argentine’s services and said : “Nicolas Otamendi was arguably the best defender in La Liga last season and so naturally I’m delighted to have added a player of his quality.

“ I have no doubt that he has the right mentality to fit into a squad where he will find many familiar faces, including Eliaquim and Fernando who he played alongside in Portugal.

“As a footballer, Nicolas has all of the qualities to be a success in the Premier League – he’s strong, he’s excellent in the tackle and he’s very good technically.”

The move came as a surprise after the defender was on the verge of signing for United, but instead, took a detour of about 8 kilometres. A host of other top European clubs were also running for his signature, including Chelsea, but it was City, which capitalized on his failed United move.

The 27-year-old is considered to be one of the best centre-backs in the game at the moment and it was no surprise as City splashed the cash once again to get their man.

Last season was the defender’s debut campaign in Spain and his best in Europe as he marshalled Valencia’s defence to a Champion’s League spot in La Liga. His stand-out performance against Real Madrid saw Valencia break a 22-match winless run against the Madrid side.

His one-on-one against Lionel Messi last season only increases the excitement levels as to what he would bring to the Premier League :

In addition, the ex-Porto player boasts of having an unmatched ariel presence even though he doesn’t have a towering presence to support the claim.

With the Citizens already looking like the team to beat this season, the addition of Otamendi could be the signing that galvanises their title charge.