Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi on a five year deal.
The 27 year old central defender reached the Copa America final with Argentina alongside new City team mates Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta, and Martin Demichelis.
Otamendi will know a couple more of his new squad mates having also played alongside Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando while they were at Porto.
#mcfc are delighted to announce the signing of @Notamendi30
Full story: http://t.co/liMiPMjOae #WelcomeNicolas pic.twitter.com/1yrH3NYDmz
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 20, 2015
Otamendi has been handed the number 30 shirt and will add strength to City’s defensive back line which hasn’t been breached so far this season.
Speaking to the official Manchester City website, Otamendi said: “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.”
City can offset some of the expected £32m fee for Otamendi with the enforced sale of Alvaro Negredo to cash-strapped Valencia which went through this summer.
With City having five central defenders available it’s possible that Jason Denayer could now go on loan to gain more first team experience although Martin Demichelis has been used as a defensive midfield substitution so far this season in both of his brief appearances while Fabian Delph has been out with a hamstring injury.
Welcome to Chelsea, @_Pedro17_! #CFC pic.twitter.com/UGc6yYBQsx
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 20, 2015
Otamendi was a rumoured target of Manchester United who have been dealt a second transfer blow this week after Chelsea announced that the Barcelona winger Pedro has signed for them despite reports that executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward had flown out to Spain earlier this week to tie up the deal.
It has since emerged that Chelsea’s late swoop to gazump United was boosted by glowing references of life in London, and his expected role in the Chelsea squad, by Cesc Fabregas and Blues manager Jose Mourinho.