THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City has signed Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure from Barcelona, the English Premier League club said Friday.
The 28-year-old Toure, whose brother Kolo also plays for City, has agreed a five-year contract. The details of the transfer fee have not been disclosed. Toure is City’s second signing of the week, following Spain winger David Silva to Eastlands.
"This is another fantastic signing," City manager Roberto Mancini told the club’s website. "Everyone knows Yaya is a player that we have admired for a long time.
"He has played at the top level with Barcelona and I am sure he his experience and ability will be very important for us."
Toure moved to Barcelona from Monaco in 2007, going on to win two Spanish league titles as well as the 2009 Champions League.
However, last season he started in fewer than half of Barcelona’s league games amid competition for the holding role from Spain international Sergio Busquets.
In total, Toure made 118 appearances for the Catalan club, scoring six goals.
As well as spells in Spain and France, Toure has played for Greek side Olympiakos, Metalurg Donetsk in the Ukraine, and Beveren in Belgium.
Toure has recently returned from the World Cup, where Ivory Coast were eliminated at the group stage. He will join up with his new teammates for City’s pre-season tour to the United States after a three-week holiday.