Manchester City have signed Argentina international Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia, and announced it on their official website.
The 27-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium, and could go straight in to the team for their match with Everton on Sunday. He shouldn’t have any trouble with settling in, with international teammates Sergio Aguero, Martin Demichelis, and Pablo Zabaleta already with the Citizens. Former Porto squadmates Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando will also welcome Otamendi.
Manuel Pellegrini has likely brought the centre-back in after failing to win the Premier League title last season, despite scoring the most goals in the competition. The form of both Mangala and Vincent Kompany came under question during that campaign, and it is the former that could be forced out of the starting line up by Otamendi.
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The Sky Blues will be especially happy about signing the defender as they have beaten fierce rivals Manchester United to him. The Red Devils had been linked to him throughout the summer [Goal], but are now watching him go to City.
On signing for the Citizens, 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.”
Manager Pellegrini added: “Nicolas Otamendi was arguably the best defender in La Liga last season and so naturally I’m delighted to have added a player of his quality. He is an established international for one of the best nations in world football and I have no doubt that he has the right mentality to fit into a squad where he will find many familiar faces, including Eliaquim and Fernando who he played alongside in Portugal.
“As a footballer, Nicolas has all of the qualities to be a success in the Premier League – he’s strong, he’s excellent in the tackle and he’s very good technically. I am sure he will become another Argentine player our fans will enjoy watching.”