Mwaruwari Benjani

CITY have officially confirmed the signing of Portsmouth striker Benjani Mwaruwari.

The Blues have bought the 29-year-old Zimbabwe international skipper for an initial outlay of just £3.87m - half the original asking price!

Benjani underwent and passed a full, day-long medical yesterday after the Premier League deemed that enough paperwork had been done last Thursday to give the transfer validity and gave the two clubs special dispensation to carry on negotiating.

The Blues,who were happy with the results of the exhaustive tests, forced the price down and the player immediately signed a two-and-a-half year contract and have now gained official ratification by the Premier League and FA.

Benjani will now go straight into the squad for Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford where he can be fully expected to lead the line.

City chief execuitive Alistair Mackintosh said "I would like to thank Portsmouth Football Club, the Premier League and the Football Association for their help, understanding and assistance in enabling this transfer to be completed to the satisfaction of all concerned.

"In particular I would like to thank Peter Storrie of Portsmouth and Sir David Richards of the Premier League for their hard work and pragmatism.”

Sven-Goran Eriksson said: “I am delighted that we have signed such a quality player, and I am looking forward to working with him straight away.”