Gael Clichy on Monday joined Manchester City from Premier League rivals Arsenal on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee, reportedly in the region of £7 million (US$11.2 million).
The French leftback will now challenge Aleksandar Kolarov for a regular spot in Roberto Mancini’s starting side.
Clichy spent nearly eight years at Arsenal and his move to big-spending City is bound to be seen as a comment on the status of the two clubs.
Last season, City pipped Arsenal to third place in the league and won the FA Cup as the Gunners trophy drought, which stretches back to 2005, continued.
Now Clichy is the latest Arsenal “old boy” at Eastlands where his teammates will include Patrick Vieira, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor.
“I’m really happy to be joining such a great club,” Clichy told Manchester City’s official Web site. “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. I can’t wait to get started and I think anything is possible with this team.”
Clichy, 25, made 264 appearances for Arsenal after signing from French club Cannes in August 2003.
He has won 10 caps for France to date and he was a member of Arsenal’s “Invincibles” squad that won the 2003-2004 Premier League title without losing a game.
That meant the then-18-year-old Clichy won a championship medal, making him the youngest recipient in Premier League history.
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