[El Blanco]

Manchester City FC can confirm that Argentinean defender Pablo Zabaleta has signed for the Club today from Espanyol for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old arrives from La Liga having put pen to paper on a five-year contract following the completion of a medical and agreeing personal terms.

Pablo comes to City fresh from winning a gold medal for his country at the Beijing Olympics just over a week ago and he has also been capped for the full international side during his career.

The transfer of Zabaleta makes it two big purchases for Mark Hughes within a few days following the return of Shaun Wright-Phillips on Thursday and the Manager told mcfc.co.uk: "We feel the addition of Pablo is another great signing for Manchester City.

"He's young and a winner, with an Olympic gold medal to prove that, but more so he will provide us with great balance in the side.

"I'm very happy to bring him here and hopefully we can get a good result at Sunderland to round off what has been a very satisfactory week indeed for us."

Pablo himself said of the move: "I am very happy to come here and play in the Premier League. Playing in England has been a lifelong dream which has finally come true by moving to City."

And of the Blues boss who helped him realise his dream, Zabaleta added: "I'd met him previously and was really impressed with him, but having talked to him about Manchester City I had to come here and be part of his plans.

"I'm very confident of helping the first team to achieve their goals for the season and after walking around the Stadium I can't wait to play in front of the City fans there. It is very impressive."

ManCity website

 

[SM Online]

Another right back? :googly:

 

[I'm With Stupid]

Yeah, have you not heard? This is gonna be our formation this season:

-------------Jo
Petrov------------------SWP
-----------------------Elano
-----------------------Ireland
----------------------Zabaleta
Ball---Dunne---Richards--Corluka
------------Hart

Bit thin in the middle, but I think we'll cope.

 

[tinoisawesome]

lol IWS

seriously though, how many do we need? and how is elano going to be playing with SWP, johnson, and petrov...(AM)?

 

[I'm With Stupid]

I don't see why not. Elano or Ireland will probably play behind a lone striker (and both could probably do a job on the right if necessary, as can Zabaleta), whereas Johnson and Kompany would play deeper in the midfield.

Jo
Petrov------------------------SWP
Elano

Johnson-----Kompany

Ball----Dunne----Richards----Corluka

Hart​

But then we've got loads of options. Zabaleta instead of Corluka. Corluka at CB with Zabaleta on the right. Ben Haim instead of Dunne. Garrido at left back. Onuoha to cover centre and right back. Hamann and Fernandes in the middle. Swap Elano for a proper strike partner for Jo. SWP on the left if Petrov is injured. Hopefully, we shouldn't have as many problems with injuries as last season, because we've got enough players to cover it. And we'll hopefully be playing a lot more games than last season too.

 

[tinoisawesome]

great post...for some reason, i haven't thought of that formation. WOW i'm excited for this season. Through to the next round to the Uefa Cup...2 wins out of three in the league...SWP's return....Johnson to sign a new contract sometime today....not to mention all the summer buys.

COME ON UCL

 

[SM Online]

To me this means Corluka is off. Zabaleta wont of come cheap and wont of come to sit on the bench either.

That side I'm With Stupid posted looks very good.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

To me this means Corluka is off.

I hope not. He's already played in Europe, so he'd be ineligable for Spurs. I don't get why we'd sell him. We paid £8m just a year ago, and he's only got better since then, so the money being mentioned is ridiculous to me. I wouldn't mind if it was to Chelsea or something, but Spurs isn't exactly a step up, and it's suicide to start selling your best players to your main rivals imo.

 

[Kippax]

and this is how he deals with showboating nobheads...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlZlCl7GxfU&

Bring on the fake Ronaldo.

 

[The Green One]

To me this means Corluka is off. Zabaleta wont of come cheap and wont of come to sit on the bench either.

That side I'm With Stupid posted looks very good.

Actually Zab only cost 6.4m

I think this is a good squad signing, he can play right-back, right-wing and defencive midfield, really giving is options around the pitch. I just hope Charlie isn't off, hopefully its too late for that

 

[The Green One]

Taken from a City forum:

Just got back. Yes it is true he was near enough in tears, chucked his shirt in our end and with the chants of Corluka Corluka Corluka and Once a blue always a blue, he couldnt stop waving. Gutted he played class today aswell to rub it in more. Happy with Zabeleta but hoped to keep Charlie.

I heard there's late intrest from Arsenal so he may end up there.

Doesn't look good

 

[Lorenzo]

I don't get it. Zabaleta is a very good player, but what's the point of fixing what's not broken. Corluka has huge potential, is EPL proven, and yet City sold him? Awful move by City.

 

[Stanko 05]

There has to be something behind the scenes.. else I can't understand this.. though I consider Zabaleta as a better RB.. he's awesome, so great signing for you guys!.

 

[tinoisawesome]

well supposedly he handed in a transfer request so it wasn't completely up to city

 

[The Green One]

Apparently he only put the transfer request in out of his disgust over the club trying to sell him behind his back.

 

[Excalibur76]

a bit more on Zabaleta......sounds promising for you guys

http://www.guillembalague.com/blog_desp.php?id=67

 

[Amir]

This one seems to be a great signing for you guys.

 

[zico78]

great player!!! i really liked how he used to play for espanyol his style of play suits city

 

[Excalibur76]

nice article about Zabaleta and how important he is off the pitch too with the other Argies

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...oring-Argentine-compatriot-Sergio-Aguero.html