Otamendi vows to make an impact

MANCHESTER City’s impressive start to the Barclays Premier League season has been enhanced by the signing of Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia.

The 27 year old, who had been strongly linked with a £28.5 million move to the Etihad Stadium since the weekend, has signed a five–year contract.

Otamendi will bolster central defensive ranks at City that include two familiar faces in former Porto team–mate Eliaquim Mangala and international colleague Martin Demichelis, as well as captain Vincent Kompany.

Otamendi said: "I am here to give my best, to fight game by game and push City to the highest peaks for as long as possible, and I wish we will be able to win several cups and titles. To be here inside a club that looks so wonderful from the outside is a dream."

No financial details of the deal have been revealed, but it is thought Valencia were hoping to use the sale to write off part of the fee they still owe City for striker Alvaro Negredo.

Otamendi joined the Spanish club from Porto a year ago. Initial reports at the weekend claimed Valencia wanted to offset his loss by signing Mangala on loan in exchange, but City had no intention of allowing the £42million Frenchman to leave Eastlands.