City splash out on international trio

Manchester City FC have continued their spending spree by splashing out a combined €24.75m to acquire Brazilian international Elano Blumer, Croatia defender Vedran Ćorluka and Spain Under-21 international Javier Garrido.

Elano excitement
Fresh from helping Brazil to a 3-0 win against Argentina in the final of the Copa América last month, midfielder Elano joins on a four-year contract after the English Premier League side agreed to pay FC Shakhtar Donetsk €12m for his signature. The 26-year-old scored 14 goals in 48 league appearances over three seasons at Shakhtar, with whom he won two championships and reached two Ukrainian Cup finals. He has featured 15 times for his country, scoring twice, with both goals coming in a 3-0 win against Argentina in London last September.

'International experience'
The 21-year-old Ćorluka, meanwhile, has put pen to paper on a five-year deal, subject to a work permit, and leaves NK Dinamo Zagreb for a reported €10.5m fee. The towering defender, who can play in the centre or at right-back, has won nine international caps and has been a key figure in the Croatia side that leads UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group E. "He's a good defender, young and can play in different roles," said City manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, who has now made seven signings since taking over in July. "He's a big guy and we look forward to him starting here. Vedran has plenty of international experience already at just 21 which is another plus."

Garrido joining
Real Sociedad de Fútbol have agreed to sell left-back Garrido to City for a €2.25m fee, with the 22-year-old defender moving to England for the next four years after successfully completing a medical. Garrido made 86 Primera División appearances for Real after making his first-team debut in 2004/05, although he was unable to prevent the Basque club being relegated at the end of last season.