Shakhtar enforcer Fernandinho completes Etihad Stadium switch.
Manchester City have completed the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fernandinho for a reported fee of £30m.
The 28-year-old defensive midfielder shone in the Champions League this season, scoring in Shakhtar’s 1-0 win over Chelsea in November.
The Brazil international, who will wear the number 25 shirt for the Premier League runners-up next season, spoke of his desire to win titles with City, after spending eight seasons in Ukraine.
“This is a change, a challenge and a chance that I have been waiting a long time for. Playing in the Premier League for City is like a dream,” Fernandinho told the club’s official website.
“My ambition here is to win all the titles, the team here is strong, and so is the greatness of the club and the supporters. Professionally this is a spectacular thing. Playing for a huge club in a huge league makes me so happy. I hope I will be able to repay City for what they have done for me.
“I know I will face challenges but I am prepared for them. Every player at a high level faces pressure and must respond and I am ready for that too. I know a lot about City. Ever since they expressed an interest in me, I have been learning more.
Fernandinho made his debut for Brazil under the Selecao’s former boss Mano Menezes in 2011 but is yet to be called up by current head-coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
The enforcer is likely to compete for a central midfield place alongside Yaya Toure with the likes of Jack Rodwell, Javi Garcia and Gareth Barry next season.
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