McManaman makes City trade
Saturday, August 30, 2003
Article summary
Manchester City FC have signed England international Steve McManaman on a free transfer from Real Madrid CF.
Article body
English international midfield player Steve McManaman has completed his move to Manchester City FC.
Free transfer
The 31-year-old, who has won 37 caps for his country, including a number when City manager Kevin Keegan was in charge of the national side, has signed a two-year deal with the English side, who face KSC Lokeren OV in the UEFA Cup first round. McManaman's club, Real Madrid CF, agreed to release him on a free transfer.
'On the up'
"I have worked with Kevin Keegan before and am really looking forward to working with him again," McManaman said. "Manchester City is an exciting place to be and they are a team which is really on the up."
Madrid move
McManaman moved to Madrid in 1999, leaving Liverpool FC on a free transfer. He won the UEFA Champions League in his first season, scoring in the final victory against Valencia CF. He then won the Primera División title the following year, the Champions League again in 2002 and a second championship last season, but found his first-team chances increasingly limited in Spain.