City complete Benjani transfer

[Middlesbrough No1 Fan]

bbc.co.uk

Zimbabwe striker Benjani's protracted move from Portsmouth to Manchester City has been resolved with Pompey to receive an initial fee of £3.87m.

The 29-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with City after passing a medical on Monday.

If Benjani makes 75 senior starts Pompey will receive a total of £7.6m.

"I'm delighted we have signed such a quality player, and I am looking forward to working with him," said City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.


Benji's as strong as an ox and never misses a day's training

Portsmouth's director of communications Gary Double

The on-off transfer saga had been in doubt after City tried to pull out of the deal, claiming they were concerned about the striker's fitness.

City said the striker had arrived in Manchester too late to complete the deal before last Thursday's midnight transfer deadline.

Pompey called in the Premier League and, upon examining the relevant paperwork, officials were satisfied that the deal had been completed by the close of the transfer window on 31 January.

"I'd like to thank Portsmouth, 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," chief executive Alistair Mackintosh told the City website.

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

Portsmouth's director of communications, Gary Double, said there was no issue with the striker's fitness.

"It's good to get this sorted for both clubs and of course for Benji, who is the most important person in this," he told The News. "Manchester City are concerned about Benji's knee, whereas both Portsmouth and Benji know there's not a problem.

"He's as strong as an ox and never misses a day's training, but in order for the deal to go through for Benji we've agreed to phase the payments.

"The terms have been changed, however. Portsmouth will still get the agreed fee. We are happy this matter has now been settled to everyone's satisfaction.

"Benji has been great for Pompey and we wish him every success for the future."

excellent signing for them i think. they have needed a good goalscoring forward. Benjani has done very well at Pompey this season

[gunner_girl91]

last thing i heard city were taking pompey to court to say that Benjani wasnt theres and now theyve signed him.....oh the weird and wonderful world of football eh?

[Caesarius]

Perhaps if he didnt fall asleep on a plane it would have moved faster. Either way i think that Pompey should have kept him. He's done rather well for them.

[RedRabbit]

he has a bad knee so Man. City were were working out the deal to be lower and pay more later based on appearances ; that's why the deal took longer than expected.