Manchester City signs striker Wilfried Bony from Swansea

MANCHESTER City have confirmed the signing of striker Wilfried Bony on a four-and-a-half-year deal from Swansea.

(FILES) In a file picture taken on November 22, 2014 Swansea City's Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Swansea City at the The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England. Swansea striker Wilfried Bony signed for English Premier League champions Manchester City, the Ivory Coast football federation announced, on January 14, 2015. The fee is believed to be about 28 million pounds ($42 million, 36 million euros). AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR “LIVE” SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.

MANCHESTER City have confirmed the signing of striker Wilfried Bony on a four-and-a-half-year deal from Swansea.

“City have completed the signing of Wilfried Bony from Swansea City,” the English champions announced on their website.

“The 26-year-old striker has agreed terms on a four and a half year deal which will keep him at the Etihad Stadium (Manchester City’s home ground) until the end of the 2018/19 season.”

There was no immediate word on what the transfer fee would be but British media reports had claimed that Manchester City had agreed to pay up to STG28 million ($51 million) for the Ivory Coast player.

“As a player it’s always good to be part of one of the biggest clubs in the world and it’s a good opportunity for me to be in that situation now — I’m really proud,” Bony said.

“I think it’s a great decision for me — Manchester City is in the Champions League.

“You remember at the end of last season I said that if I want to move it will be to a team in the competition because it’s a great tournament that I really want to play in and one that I want to win.

“It’s a motivation for me to give my maximum to be in that place. City is a big club with great players with a lot of experience; I believe we can do it.”

Bony is currently on international duty with Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

He was the Premier League’s top scorer in 2014 with 20 goals and has scored nine times in 22 appearances this season.

Originally published as Manchester City signs striker Wilfried Bony from Swansea