Clichy Moved to City

Gael Clichy

Finally, Arsenal left back Gael Clichy has moved to Manchester City. The rich club has completed the signing of France defender on a four-year deal for an unrevealed fee. But a source said the amount to be of £7million.

City manager Roberto Mancini will be pleased to have Clichy after identifying the 25-year-old as a player that could slot into the City side at left-back.

Clichy has been at Arsenal since he was a teenager, having arrived from Cannes in 2003 after his talents were noticed by Arsene Wenger.

"I am really happy to be joining such a great club," he told City's official website. "I hope I can add to the quality we already have here because we have a fantastic squad who I believe will continue to get better.”

He initially served as cover for Ashley Cole before establishing himself in the first team following the Englishman's departure to Chelsea and going on to become a key player. However, Clichy has now been sold as he had just one year remaining on his contract and was reportedly unwilling to sign an extension.

The emergence of Kieran Gibbs over the past couple of years will ensure Arsenal are not severely weakened by Clichy's exit, but the news may spark fears of an exodus among supporters as speculation continues over the futures of other players such as Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

Left-back had been perceived as something of a problem position for City, despite the big-money arrival of Aleksandar Kolarov last summer. Kolarov will now have to compete with Clichy for regular football, while Wayne Bridge appears more likely to leave on a permanent basis following his loan stint at West Ham last season.

Clichy becomes the latest in a succession of former Arsenal players to join the City revolution, although as that number includes Emmanuel Adebayor and the currently suspended Kolo Toure, the Blues have not had unqualified success with their raids on London.

"When I first came to England, it was Kolo Toure and Patrick Vieira who took me under their wing and really looked after me," said Clichy.

"Kolo would pick me up and drop me at home and his wife used to cook meals for me. Patrick was always there to offer me advice so it's wonderful to be back and at the same club they are at."