Dzeko Signed
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:56 pmon the OS now
Star striker Dzeko signs for City
Edin Dzeko has joined City after completing his transfer from Wolfsburg.
He has signed a four and a half year deal and will wear the number 10 shirt.
The prolific 24-year-old striker can’t wait for the new marriage to start after a lengthy engagement.
He is likely to make his home debut against Wolves at CoMs on Saturday week (tickets still available).
“It has been a long time that I have been linked with the club going back to last summer but Wolfsburg did not want to sell me until today,” he smiled after completing a medical.
“There was too much speculation in the papers but my head is always clear. It is important that is the case because if you think too much about what might be it is a distraction and it can affect your game. I was always attracted most to joining City.
I am pleased to be at such a good club with such a big ambition as Manchester City. They were my first choice and only choice
“They have been playing well this season. I have watched them a lot on television. Now the speculation is over and I just want to do my best.”
Bosnian star Dzeko, who has most recently been on a winter break with former club Wolfsburg, has no doubt why he joined the Blues.
“Everybody speaks about City having lots of money but it is not about that. It is about ambition and I have spoken to coach Mancini and he told me ‘this is the best club for you’,” he explained in his excellent English.
“City are playing for first place in the Premier League and that is what I want. I am excited to play alongside players such as Tevez and Toure who I have only seen on the television and to be in the same team as players I have played against such as Boateng and Kompany.
“They will help me achieve my goal to be better in the future. I want to show the fans why the club paid the money for me. Everyone expects goals and I want to score them but most of all I want to contribute to a successful team.
“I don’t want to talk about my skill - that is for other people to judge. However, I know my quality and when I am fit I am not afraid of a challenge.
“I don’t know a lot about Manchester because I have only been once but I am looking forward to seeing the city and meeting the fans and getting to know everyone at the club.”
The hitman clearly offers Mancini a different option as a target man par excellence, cannot wait to get started:
Everybody says that England is the perfect league for me with my style
He has scored 10 goals in 17 League games this season for the Bundesliga champions and was a target for some of Europe's top clubs before opting to move to the City of Manchester Stadium.
His signing, Mancini's ninth since the former Inter boss took charge of the team just over a year ago, will be seen as a statement of intent with title-chasing City lying second in the table.
Sarajevo-born Dzeko began his career at his local side FK Zeljeznicar and turned few heads as a midfielder. But when he moved to Czech club Teplice, he finished as top scorer for 2006-07 with 13 goals from 30 appearances.
Dzeko moved to Wolfsburg in the summer of 2007 for €4million, and made an immediate impact with five goals in 11 games, eventually helping the club to fifth place and a UEFA Cup spot.
His second season was exceptional. Dzeko formed a potent partnership with Brazilian Grafite, scoring 26 out of the duo's record-breaking 54 goals as Wolfsburg won their first league title.
A further 10 goals in domestic and European cup competitions clinched the 2008-09 German Footballer of the Year award. Dzeko was also nominated for the 2009 Ballon d'Or, won by Lionel Messi.
The striker, who was made a UNICEF ambassador in November 2009, became the highest League scorer in Wolfsburg's history with 59 goals in 96 games.
New teammate Jerome Boateng is clearly a fan.
“Dzeko has everything,” he praised. “He can shoot right left and can head the ball too. He is a very strong striker. He is a quality player. Against Hamburg he always played well and seemed to score, it was always a big challenge.
“He can hold the ball well and he knows how to move with his body. He has a good eye for the goal."
;-)