Mancini: Silva signing sends message
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes the signing of David Silva is a statement of the club’s intent ahead of the new Barclays Premier League season.
The Eastlands club confirmed the signing of the winger from Valencia on a four-year contract earlier today for a fee believed to be in the region of £25m.
The 24-year-old Spain international will have a medical upon his return from the World Cup in South Africa when the transfer will be formally completed.
City narrowly missed out on a Champions League place last season, and Mancini believes Silva can help his side challenge for the title this time around.
“I think that David Silva is one of the best midfielders in Europe, and I hope he will be a very important player for Manchester City,” the Italian said.
“I am so pleased he is coming to us, I think he can make a big, big impact for Manchester City.
“In signing David, we are showing the world that we are bringing the best players here and that we hope to compete to win the Premier League.
“When players see what is happening at Manchester City and the ambition, they are attracted to what we are building and want to be a part of it.”
City are again expected to be highly active in the transfer market this summer and a deal for Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure is also thought to be close.
That would unite the Ivory Coast international with his brother Kolo, the City captain.
Silva, who has surprisingly featured just once to date in Spain’s World Cup campaign, is delighted to have secured a switch to the English top flight and also thanked Valencia, the club he has been with since joining the youth ranks at the age of 14.
He said: “Firstly I would like to thank Valencia as a club and all of their loyal fans, and my team-mates there and staff.
“I have enjoyed six years at Valencia, they discovered me as a footballer and they will always be a special club for me.
“The time is right for me to seek a new challenge, and I am thrilled about playing in England with Manchester City.
“I believe the Premier League is one of the best competitions in the world and I want to bring success to City and win trophies for them.
“There has been a lot of speculation about me in the British and Spanish media, and I need to fully concentrate on playing for Spain in the World Cup.
“That is why my advisors have been dealing with City for me, so that I can have my attentions only on South Africa and playing well for my national team.”
