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Page last updated at 22:14 GMT, Friday, 7 January 2011

Manchester City sign striker Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg

Edin Dzeko
Dzeko had been linked with many of Europe's top clubs

Manchester City have completed the £27m signing of Bosnian international striker Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg.

Dzeko, 24, has joined the Eastlands club on a four-and-a-half year deal.

However, he was not registered in time to feature in Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie at Leicester. He could make his debut against Wolves next Saturday.

Dzeko has scored 66 goals in 111 games in Germany, helping Wolfsburg win the Bundesliga in 2009. He has 10 goals in 17 league games this season.

Dzeko becomes City boss Roberto Mancini's ninth signing since replacing Mark Hughes just over a year ago.

His arrival is likely to trigger the departures of Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz at some point during this month's transfer window.

Dzeko said: "I was always attracted most to joining City. I have been linked with the club for a long time, going back to last summer, but Wolfsburg did not want to sell me until now.

606: DEBATE
chemistar

"There was too much speculation in the papers but my head is always clear.

"It is important that is the case because if you think too much about what might be it is a distraction and it can affect your game."

He added: "I am pleased to be at such a good club with such big ambition. They were my first choice and only choice.

"Everybody speaks about City having lots of money but it is not about that. It is about ambition and I have spoken to coach Mancini and he told me 'this is the best club for you'.

"City are playing for first place in the Premier League and that is what I want.

"I am excited to play alongside players such as Carlos Tevez and Yaya Toure, whom I have only seen on TV, and to be in the same team as players I have played against such as Jerome Boateng and Vincent Kompany.

"I want to show the fans why the club paid the money for me. Everyone expects goals and I want to score them but most of all I want to contribute to a successful team."

New team-mate Boateng, who faced Dzeko while at Hamburg, said: "He has everything. He can shoot right left and can head the ball too.

"He is a very strong striker, a quality player. Against Hamburg he always played well and seemed to score, it was always a big challenge.

"He can hold the ball well has a good eye for the goal."



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see also
Dazzling Dzeko
08 Jan 11 |  Man City
Mancini defends Man City tactics
05 Jan 11 |  Man City
Mancini 'confident' of Dzeko deal
04 Jan 11 |  Man City


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