English Premiership
Man City sign Dzeko
2011-01-08 14:35
Manchester - English Premier League title-chasers Manchester City on Friday completed the signing of Bosnia and Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko from German club Wolfsburg.
The 24-year-old, who is believed to have cost City 27 million pounds (32.5 million euros) has signed a four-and-a-half year contract and has been handed the number 10 shirt at the Eastlands club.
"It has been a long time that I have been linked with the club going back to last summer but Wolfsburg did not want to sell me until today," Dzeko, who is likely to make his debut next weekend against Wolves, told City's official website.
"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. I was always attracted most to joining City.
"They have been playing well this season. I have watched them a lot on television. Now the speculation is over and I just want to do my best."
Dzeko scored 10 goals in 17 league games this season for Wolfsburg and becomes City boss Roberto Mancini's ninth signing since the former Inter Milan coach took charge just over a year ago.
Sarajevo-born Dzeko began his career at his local side FK Zeljeznicar before moving to Czech club Teplice where he was top scorer in the 2006-2007 season with 13 goals from 30 appearances.
He moved to Wolfsburg in the summer of 2007 for four million euros, and made an immediate impact with five goals in 11 games, eventually helping the club to fifth place and a UEFA Cup spot.
In his second season, Dzeko hit 26 goals and formed a deadly partnership with Brazilian strike partner Grafite with the pair scoring 54 goals between them as Wolfsburg clinched the German title.
This season, however, Wolfsburg are struggling at 13th in the table, having gone seven Bundesliga games without a win, putting their coach Steve McClaren, the former England manager, under severe pressure.
In December, Dzeko refused to shake McClaren's hand when he was substituted after missing a crucial penalty in the 77th minute of a goalless draw with Werder Bremen.
Other top-rank European clubs were also linked with the striker, including Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus.