Vital info on City new boy.
Manchester City confirmed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Fernando from Porto earlier today.
The Premier League champions did not reveal much about the deal though, not even the length of the 26-year-old’s contract or the transfer fee involved.
With that in mind, we have put together nine things that we think you should know about City’s latest arrival.
9. Fee
It has been widely reported that City will pay a £12m transfer fee for Fernando, who had signed a new three-year contract with Porto in February. It is understood that his City deal will be at least three years long.
Fernando is a real team player. An excellent tackler with top positional skills, he is better defensively than he is going forward.
He has incredible fitness, allowing him to get up and down the pitch, but he hardly ever scores.
7. Dark past
Fernando has not represented Brazil at any level since being sent off for assaulting a referee during an Under-20 international in 2007.
Fernando’s international career may not be over. He recently gained Portuguese citizenship and could play for the European country in the near future.
5. Discipline
Fernando was yellow carded nine times and sent off once in 25 league games last season.
4. Well decorated
Fernando won 12 trophies during seven years at Porto, including four Primeira Liga titles and one Europa League.
3. Squad number
Fernando will wear the number six shirt for City. The club’s last six number sixes have been Joleon Lescott, Michael Johnson, Claudio Reyna, Kevin Horlock, Giuseppe Mazzarelli and Michel Vonk.
Fernando played twice against City in the Europa League in February 2012. The English team won 6-1 on aggregate.
1. Name
Fernando’s full name is Fernando Francisco Reges, but he is often refereed to as The Octopus.
