Sommeil in at City

French defender David Sommeil has joined Manchester City FC in a €5m move from FC Girondins de Bordeaux.

Unsuccessful bid
The 29-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Kevin Keegan's English Premiership side. Keegan initially made a move for Sommeil three weeks ago, but the deal was put on hold while City launched an unsuccessful bid to sign Leeds United AFC striker Robbie Fowler.

'Very committed'
"I am absolutely delighted that David is joining us," manager Keegan told the club's website. "The one thing about David's character is that he is very, very committed. He is a B international for France and it is only because of the wealth of central defenders available to the French national side that he hasn't got a full cap.

Immediate start
"David can also play on the right side of defence and has joined us in time to compete for a place in the team for the game against Fulham [FC] at Maine Road on Wednesday." Sommeil said he had talked to friends playing in England before committing himself to City.

Premiership prospects
"[Chelsea FC's] William Gallas is a good friend of mine and I have often listened to him tell me how great it is playing in England," he told his website. "It was he who really sparked my interest in the Premiership and I believe my strength and build will be suited to playing at this level."