Manchester City have completed the signing of Brazil international Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk for an initial fee of around £30million.
The 28-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.
“My ambition here is to win all the titles, the team here is strong, and so is the greatness of the club and the supporters. Professionally this is a spectacular thing”
Fernandinho
Fernandinho, who will wear the No 25 shirt for City, told the club’s official website: “This is a change, a challenge and a chance that I have been waiting a long time for. Playing in the Premier League for City is like a dream.
“My ambition here is to win all the titles, the team here is strong, and so is the greatness of the club and the supporters. Professionally this is a spectacular thing.
“Playing for a huge club in a huge league makes me so happy. I hope I will be able to repay City for what they have done for me.
“I know I will face challenges but I am prepared for them. Every player at a high level faces pressure and must respond and I am ready for that too. I know a lot about City. Ever since they expressed an interest in me, I have been learning more.”
Fernandinho, who joined Shakhtar from Atletico Paranaense in 2005, has appeared in the Champions League for the past eight seasons and has won the Ukrainian league title six times.
He also helped Shakhtar win the Europa League in 2009 and scored the decisive goal against Chelsea in the Champions League last season.
He made his Brazil debut against Germany in 2011 and has five caps, but has yet to be called up by new Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.
But Fernandinho’s former Shakhtar team-mate, ex-Arsenal striker Eduardo, thinks the playmaker will be a success in the Premier League.
Eduardo said of Fernandinho: “He has a good chance to play for Manchester City and can show all around the world he is a top player.
“I think he is one of the best midfielders in Europe.”