Manchester City completed the signing of Brazilian striker Jo from CSKA Moscow yesterday in what new manager Mark Hughes said he hoped would be the first of several major signings.
City said the 21-year-old had signed a four-year deal and that his fee was a club record, though the amount was not disclosed. City's previous record was for Nicolas Anelka's transfer from Paris St Germain in 2002 for around 13 million pounds (US$25.81 million) and local media speculated that the fee for Jo was around 18 million pounds.
Jo is the first player signed by Hughes, who took over as manager from Sven-Goran Eriksson last month.
"He's an outstanding player and very much the sort of player we want to attract," Hughes told a news conference in Manchester.
"He's a big guy, he's used to playing in big games and we feel he can deal with the trials of a tough Premier League season.
"We've given notice of intent. We want to push the club forward and raise the profile. The acquisition of quality players will obviously help that and the arrival of Jo is the start of the process."
Jo, who joined CSKA from Corinthians in 2005, has made one appearance for Brazil in a friendly against Turkey last year.
Full name Joao Alves de Assis Silva, he became the youngest player to represent Corinthians when he made his professional debut at the age of 16.
He could miss the start of the new Premier League season if Brazil coach Dunga calls him up for the Olympic Games soccer tournament in August, which features under-23 teams.
"I decided to come because Manchester City showed more interest in me, after I spoke with the manager I was very pleased with that," Jo said, adding that Spain's Valencia had also shown an official interest in signing him.
"There is a big difference between the Russian league and the Premier League, but I hope I can score a lot of goals."
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily July 3, 2008)