Thursday, 11/11/2010
PATRICK Vieira has become the first signing of Roberto Mancini’s reign at Manchester City with the former Arsenal captain returning to the Premier League on an initial six-month deal.
Vieira, who was voted the fifth greatest player in Arsenal’s history in a poll in 2008, joins City from Inter Milan having failed to secure regular first-team football under Jose Mourinho this season and has the option of extending his deal by a further 12 months.
The France international is hoping that his move to City enables him to secure a place in Raymond Domenech’s squad for the upcoming World Cup finals as he has not played a competitive game for his country since September 2007.
In signing one of the finest midfielders in Premier League history, City have acquired a player with a bulging trophy cabinet. Vieira has won the Serie A title three times, twice under Mancini at Inter, and claimed three Premier League titles and four FA Cups during his time at Arsenal.
Mancini expects that the 33-year-old’s record of success at the top level will ensure he is a positive influence on a City side that the manager feels can still challenge for the Premier League title this season.
“Patrick is a world class midfielder with a winner’s mentality and will fit into this group very well,” Mancini told the club’s official website. “He knows me and my staff well, and importantly he also knows what the Premier League is all about. He will not need much time to settle in.
“Patrick is one of the great players of his era with every almost every honour in the game against his name. I am sure City fans will welcome him warmly and appreciate the contribution he will make.”
Vieira started his career at Cannes, captaining the side at 19, and spent an unsuccessful spell at AC Milan before joining Arsenal in 1996.
Tags: English Premier League, EPL 2009/10, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Patrick Vieira, Transfer News
