Thursday 15 January 2015 11:17, UK
Manchester City have completed the signing of Swansea striker Wilfried Bony on a contract until the summer of 2019 for a fee of £25m that could rise to £28m.
Bony is away on international duty with Ivory Coast as they prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations and they looked to have broken the news of the transfer on Wednesday morning.
Both City and Swansea were keen to emphasise the final stages of the deal had to be finalised and all loose ends have now been tied up, with the 26-year-old due to make the move to the Etihad Stadium once he returns from Equatorial Guinea.
“It’s a great feeling for me, it’s a big honour to be here and it’s a great challenge," Bony told the Manchester City website.
“As a player it’s always good to be part of one of the biggest clubs in the world and it’s a good opportunity for me to be in that situation now – I’m really proud.
“I felt excited to wait for this moment and now it’s come, it’s fantastic.
“I think it’s a great decision for me - Manchester City is in the Champions League. You remember at the end of last season I said that if I want to move it will be to a team in the competition because it’s a great tournament that I really want to play in and one that I want to win.
“It’s a motivation for me to give my maximum to be in that place. City is a big club with great players with a lot of experience; I believe we can do it.”
Bony also confirmed he had spoken to international team-mate Yaya Toure about making the move to Manchester.
“I speak with Yaya every day on international duty and I think he will help me to become a better player and a more clinical striker," he added.
"I’ll be playing with great players here at City and this is an opportunity for me to work hard and to take my chance.”
City boss Manuel Pellegrini admitted he is delighted to have signed Bony to boost his attacking options.
"He is very difficult to mark because he is so strong. He is an intelligent footballer who has skill and power," he said.
"His goals record has been excellent since he came to England. He adapted very quickly to the game here and I think he will settle in at City quickly.
"He will be a very good addition to our squad. We now have four top-class strikers and I am looking forward to seeing them work together."
Bony will wear the No 14 shirt at the Etihad.
