Kolo Touré was unveiled by Manchester City on Wednesday after completing his £15 million move from Arsenal.
The centre-back passed a medical earlier in the day and then signed a four-year contract at Eastlands, believed to be worth around £120,000 a week.
Touré joins Gareth Barry, Stuart Taylor, Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tévez and Emmanuel Adebayor in moving to City this summer.
"It is always difficult to leave a place where you have spent the last eight years and had good times," he told City's official website.
"I felt the time was right for a new challenge and I am still at an age, 28, where I feel I am at my peak and will play my best football.
"For me it was time to move but only for the right club and I feel that Manchester City is that club.
"The ambition here is clear to see and is big. Everyone knows this club is moving and that is really, really important."
City boss Mark Hughes added: "I am delighted to welcome Kolo to Manchester City.
"It is no secret that we have been looking to strengthen our defence, and in Kolo I feel we have recruited a world-class player.
"He brings a wealth of Premier League experience from his seven seasons with Arsenal.
"Kolo has been a central figure in a very strong Arsenal team for many years.
"I have been an admirer of him for a long time. He is strong, quick, reads the game well and will be an influential figure in the dressing room."
Hughes turned to Touré after his efforts to bring in John Terry were rebuffed first by Chelsea, then by the player himself.
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The centre-back passed a medical earlier in the day and then signed a four-year contract at Eastlands, believed to be worth around £120,000 a week.
 Kolo Touré joins Manchester City from Arsenal Photo: mcfc.co.uk |
Touré joins Gareth Barry, Stuart Taylor, Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tévez and Emmanuel Adebayor in moving to City this summer.
"It is always difficult to leave a place where you have spent the last eight years and had good times," he told City's official website.
"I felt the time was right for a new challenge and I am still at an age, 28, where I feel I am at my peak and will play my best football.
"For me it was time to move but only for the right club and I feel that Manchester City is that club.
"The ambition here is clear to see and is big. Everyone knows this club is moving and that is really, really important."
City boss Mark Hughes added: "I am delighted to welcome Kolo to Manchester City.
"It is no secret that we have been looking to strengthen our defence, and in Kolo I feel we have recruited a world-class player.
"He brings a wealth of Premier League experience from his seven seasons with Arsenal.
"Kolo has been a central figure in a very strong Arsenal team for many years.
"I have been an admirer of him for a long time. He is strong, quick, reads the game well and will be an influential figure in the dressing room."
Hughes turned to Touré after his efforts to bring in John Terry were rebuffed first by Chelsea, then by the player himself.
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