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Joleon Lescott is all smiles with new Manchester City team-mate Gareth Barry - Source: Reuters -
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Joleon Lescott has said he is 'over the moon' after Manchester City officially completed the signing of former Everton defender on a five-year contract on Wednesday
After having two bids rejected, City finally agreed a fee with the Merseyside club over the weekend.
The 27-year-old Lescott passed a medical on Wednesday,
tying up his transfer to Eastlands.
"I am absolutely delighted to welcome Joleon to Manchester City. He
is an England international who has proved his Premier League
ability during his time at Everton," City manager Mark Hughes told
the club's website.
"In bringing Joleon to the Club I feel we have recruited a defender
of the very highest quality.
"He can play in a number of defensive positions, and I'm positive
he will make a significant impact for us."
Lescott is City's sixth major signing of the summer, joining Gareth
Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo
Toure at Eastlands.
Over the moon
The former Wolves defender, who is reported to have made
the move for around 22 million pounds, said: "I'm
over the moon to get the move completed, and I'm looking forward to
training with the lads as I've not trained for a few days.
"I know some of the lads already - I'm close friends with Shaun
(Wright-Phillips), we've played against each other since we were 16
or 17.
"The way this club is moving on, I'm really looking forward to
being a part of that."
Everton sign Russian ace
Meanwhile, Everton wasted no time in signed Russian
international winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov from Lokomotiv Moscow on
a five-year deal, the Premier League club said.
No fee was disclosed for the 24-year-old, who has 28 international
caps including every match of the 2008 European Championship where
Russia reached the semi-finals.
Bilyaletdinov will now return home to complete the formalities of a
visa application to enter the UK.
