Touré signs up for City challenge

Manchester City FC's summer spending has continued apace with FC Barcelona midfielder Yaya Touré the latest player to arrive at the club where he will link up with his elder brother Kolo.

Fresh from returning from the FIFA World Cup, the Ivorian international has signed a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He is City's third big off-season signing following Jerome Boateng, from Hamburger SV, and David Silva who joined from Valencia CF on Wednesday for a reported €30m fee.

"This is another fantastic signing for Manchester City and I am very pleased Yaya has joined us, he is a very good player," City manager Roberto Mancini said. "He has played at the top level with Barcelona and I am sure his experience and ability will be very important for us."

The 27-year-old enjoyed three successful seasons at Barcelona whom he joined from AS Monaco FC in 2007. He played a key role as Josep Guardiola's side won the UEFA Champions League, Liga and Copa del Rey treble in 2009 as well the UEFA Super Cup. He also helped Barça retain the Spanish title last season though he faced stiff competition from Sergio Busquets for the holding midfield role.

Touré, who came up through the famed ASEC Mimosas academy in Abidjan and has also played for KSK Beveren, FC Metalurh Donetsk and Olympiacos FC, has been capped 50 times by the Ivory Coast and played all three of their matches in South Africa. City kick off their European campaign in the UEFA Europa League play-offs on 19 and 26 August after finishing fifth in the Premier League last season.