MANCHESTER: Brazilian striker Jo joined Manchester City from CSKA Moscow yesterday for what the English Premier League side said was a “club record” undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old forward, capped once by Brazil, signed a four-year contract and in the process became Mark Hughes’s first major signing at Eastlands since he replaced Sven-Goran Eriksson as City manager.
Jo, full name Joao Alves de Assis Silva, is a left-footed forward who joined several fellow Brazilians at CSKA in 2006 when he moved from Corinthians.
It had been reported that City expected to pay around £19mil for the striker, who scored 44 goals in 77 matches for the Russian club.
“I decided to come to Manchester City because it is one of the clubs who showed more interest in me, although I had other offers as well,” Jo said at a press conference announcing his signing.
“After I spoke to the manager (Hughes) I was very pleased.
“I was told Manchester City is a club going forward at the moment. We can go places, that is our objective. We thought about it and I decided to come to Manchester City for that reason.”
Jo added Valencia were City’s main rivals for his signature. “The club who showed interest officially was Valencia,” he said. – AFP
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