Premier League - City complete Santa Cruz signing

Eurosport - Tue, 23 Jun 09:08:00 2009

Roque Santa Cruz has completed his £17 million move from Blackburn Rovers to Manchester City.

FOOTBALL Blackburn Rovers Santa Cruz - 0

The Paraguayan passed a medical with the Eastlands outfit on Monday afternoon and has now signed a deal to link up once more with Mark Hughes, his former manager at Blackburn.

Hughes has never made any secret of his desire to have Santa Cruz at City and having assured themselves the knee injury that kept the South American out at the end of last season has fully cleared up, the Blues have completed the signing of the striker.

Santa Cruz becomes Hughes' second major signing of the summer, following the arrival of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa last month.

Despite the improvement of Felipe Caicedo during the final few weeks of last season, City were desperately in need of a senior striker to bring the best out of Steven Ireland, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Robinho, who continues to be linked with Barcelona.

Having brought the 27-year-old from Bayern Munich during his Blackburn days, Hughes knew exactly what Santa Cruz could bring to him team and after missing out on the player during the last two transfer windows, was quick to make contact with Rovers counterpart Sam Allardyce with another offer, which this time was accepted.

Although he managed just four Premier League goals last term, the memory of his 23 in 43 appearances during his first season at Ewood Park is still strong and Santa Cruz is expected to clock up a third World Cup finals campaign with Paraguay next summer.

PA Sport

Comment 9 - 28 of 88

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  1. comment 19 you look like a rent boy

    From mike, on Mon 22 Jun 6:52PM

  2. tevez is in the bag early july, he already decided

    From mike, on Mon 22 Jun 6:51PM

  3. santa cruz when not injured is one of the best strikers­ in the premiership

    city definately top 4....

    From mike, on Mon 22 Jun 6:49PM

  4. comment 23 what the hell are you on about you muppet..­ city have players from england holland belgium brazil­ paraguay wales and bulgaria you absolute prannock....­ get your facts straight you PILL HEAD

    From mike, on Mon 22 Jun 6:48PM

  5. if he stays fit n healthy and gets the service,­ he'll be good for you ...

    From dirtybasad, on Mon 22 Jun 6:46PM

  6. come on tevez...sign on the dotted line
    C.T.I.D

    From big10, on Mon 22 Jun 6:45PM

  7. thank god what a deal for a injury prone player good­ business rovers now buy young quality players its about­ time we did

    From chris, on Mon 22 Jun 6:42PM

  8. hopefully brfc will invest in a new team! big sam­ should just take everyone on a season long loan...may­ get more commitment than half of the players gave last­ season. they maybe small town team but we need some­ passion. burnley get that!

    From dirtybasad, on Mon 22 Jun 6:38PM

  9. seems mark can only sign players who he knows­ already...city will be the wales squad soon! :)

    From dirtybasad, on Mon 22 Jun 6:36PM

  10. he has dodgy knees so hopefully city's ground will­ stay clear of mud n sh***e...

    From dirtybasad, on Mon 22 Jun 6:35PM

  11. good boy!!! I can c city doin well now lol love roque­ santa cruz x

    From smiley123, on Mon 22 Jun 6:35PM

  12. Man. City sucks!!!!

    From CaRRy mE aWaY, on Mon 22 Jun 6:29PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Santa Cruz is poor player !!!......

    From CaRRy mE aWaY, on Mon 22 Jun 6:28PM

  14. probably one of the best signings he will make this­ summer, would of liked him at united but never mind. He­ is a very good player with a lot of potential in a good­ team.

    From peter.white789, on Mon 22 Jun 6:27PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Hopefully when we rid ourselves of this useless manager­ at the end of yet another unsuccessful season he will­ take Bellamy and Santa Cruz with him.

    From youknowtheydidit, on Mon 22 Jun 6:26PM

  16. Decent signing from City.

    From james.duckworth, on Mon 22 Jun 6:09PM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    potates are good for you.

    From Mandy piles, on Mon 22 Jun 6:08PM

  18. Ignore all the haters, a good signing an im sure he`ll­ prove it. Can`t belive i agree with some 1 whos name is­ Man Utd....................................must be goin­ soft in my older age lol

    From blueboy_mcfc, on Mon 22 Jun 6:06PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    There's only one team in manchester! There's­ only one team in manchester!
    (and its not city)

    From mhollyhurst, on Mon 22 Jun 6:00PM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Hello yahoo sport, this news broke 1hour ago, and you­ still have Cruz under goes medical on your post. Not­ the sharpest then.

    From sascha, on Mon 22 Jun 5:55PM
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