Toure completes move to Manchester City

Defender Kolo Touré has completed his transfer from Arsenal to Manchester City after passing a medical this morning for a reported £17 million.

The Ivory Coast international spent almost 8 years at his former club and was a favourite amongst fans, though was never the same after a bout of malaria, dropping down the pecking order at the club and was no longer one of the first names on the team sheet.

Touré joined Arsenal for an estimated £250,000 - and the £16.75 million profit made by manager Arsène Wenger will be seen as an amazing piece of business by many Arsenal fans.

He is also the last member of the famous Invincibles squad, who went unbeaten for 49 games in the league, winning the 2003/04 championship in the process.

City manager Mark Hughes was pleased with his latest signing, saying: "I am delighted to welcome Kolo to Manchester City. It is no secret that we have been looking to strengthen our defence, and in Kolo I feel we have recruited a world class player. He brings a wealth of Premier League experience from his seven seasons with Arsenal.

"Kolo has been a central figure in a very strong Arsenal team for many years, and I have been an admirer of him for a long time. He is strong, quick, reads the game well and will be an influential figure in the dressing room."

Arsenal Mania would like to wish Touré all the best at his new club, except when he's facing the red and white team from North London.

Thanks for the memories, Kolo.

User Comments

Scott

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 04:05 PM - Reply

Kolo: Thanks for your effort, skill and humility over the years. Most of all, thanks for your class. I hate to see you go but wish you the best.

x arsenal fan

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 03:38 AM - Reply

arsenal is supermarket team they selling every great player look henry vieira emmanuel adebayor kolo pires hleb flamini next season fabergas my gone the do not buying great they spending transfer season less than 10 m look real madrid 130m chelsea 20m barcelona60m manutd man35m city145m liverpoo45m i should be man city fans couz i can wait arsenal any more i wose arsenal biggest fans bey bey arsenal

Johnny

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 12:37 AM - Reply

i think its a joke that we have let kolo go! he was without a doubt our best defender far better than gallas! wenger needs to go out and buy top quality players and stop playing all these youngsters we are a big club we need to be winning trophies!

Losky

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 12:03 AM - Reply

kolo was a good guy. ,he was strong, experienced and motivating. too bad arsenal has to loose this kind of world class ccentral defender. bt all thesame, we've got more funds to purchase huntelaar and perhaps, any other tuff defensive midfielder. i wish him all the best. Goodbye Kolo Toure, GUNNERS will never forget you. UP GOONERS.

billp79

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 10:56 PM - Reply

past his prime
we now need a left center defensive midfielder stopper type who can pair up with ashy and vermillion, in front of (behind) clichy when he makes his over lapping runs...any suggestions?

Raza the Gooner!

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 10:18 PM - Reply

Sad day as Kolo was a gentleman moreover and excellent player. He will be missed. I wish him all the best as it is not his fault he got sold. Let us hope Wenger knows what he is doing. All the best Mr Kolo Toure. Thanks for your service and we will never forget you.

Vij

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 09:27 PM - Reply

I am sorry to see Kolo go. He is a world class player with one blip with Arsenal and we sold him. I am sure Arsene has his reasons and I have my faith in the managers decision but this is sad news for Arsenal FC. A brave soldier for Arsenal has now left its ranks.
All the best Kolo.

danny jacobs

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 08:47 PM - Reply

its just sad to see him go especialy as our remaining central defenders just dont seem quite the finished article.

danny jacobs

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 08:25 PM - Reply

i cant believe we sell our best defender probably our best player over the past few seasons.

John

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 08:01 PM - Reply

Great player suffered playing along side point to finger at everyone else Gallas but I think its a good deal for Arsenal and the player.... who always played with his heart on his sleave

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