Man City sign Brazilian Fernando away from FC Porto

Premier League champions Manchester City have completed the signing of defensive midfielder Fernando from Porto.

Porto issued a statement to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) late Wednesday, saying a deal worth £12 million (Dh74.9m) had been struck between the two clubs.

“I am so happy to finally be joining Manchester City,” Fernando told City’s website on Thursday. “I know there was talk of me possibly signing last January, so I am delighted that the deal has now been done and that I am a City player.”

City have been restricted to a net spend of £49m this pre-season for breaching European football governing body Uefa’s financial fair play regulations, but a reported fee of £12m for Fernando still leaves them with the option to sign several more players.

Brazilian Fernando is the second new arrival at Eastlands this pre-season, following the free transfer of former Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna, and he will give City manager Manuel Pellegrini an extra midfield option in addition to Yaya Toure, Fernandinho and Javi Garcia.

But his signing may not do much for the career aspirations of promising 23-year-old English midfielder Jack Rodwell, whose City future remains uncertain.

Fernando is on holiday in Brazil but will report for pre-season training in two weeks’ time, City said. He is not at the World Cup finals, having not been called up by his native Brazil.

Earlier this year, he was ruled ineligible by world football governing body Fifa to play for Portugal, for whom he is now a naturalised citizen, because he had already played for Brazil during the Under-20 World Cup qualifiers.

As he now has a Portuguese passport, City no longer require a work permit to sign the midfielder.

“I’m looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and helping City to defend the title,” Fernando said. “It is a very exciting time to be part of this football club and I cannot wait to play in the Premier League.

“City fans can be assured I will give my all every time I play and I’m looking forward to many happy years in Manchester.

“I have enjoyed my stay with Porto and I thank the club and the fans for their support during my time in Portugal. Now I am ready for a new chapter in my career.”

Fernando joined Porto from Brazilian club Vila Nova in 2007, and – after a loan spell with Estrela da Amadora – won four Portuguese titles while also lifting the Europa League and twice being a Portuguese Cup winner.

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