Benjani fell asleep and missed two planes - the real reason he nearly lost out on City switch

The protracted deal, which City claimed had fallen through just after the January window closed at midnight last Thursday, was finally completed yesterday after the Zimbabwe international signed a two-and-a-half-year deal.

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City will pay an initial £3.87million up front, with the remaining half of the £7.75million fee due to be paid in three instalments when the 29-year-old makes 25, 50 and 75 starts for Sven-Goran Eriksson's team.

Speaking about the reasons for the delay, Storrie claimed the whole drawn-out "fiasco" could have been avoided had Benjani not taken an untimely nap as he attempted to make his way to Manchester to complete the formalities of the switch.

"In his own inevitable, wonderful way - and we all love Benji so much - he falls asleep at the airport and misses two planes," Storrie said in The Times.

"You couldn't write the script. The next plane at 7 o'clock got cancelled and the 8.30 was delayed. It just made the whole situation a fiasco."

Storrie has also stressed he is entirely happy with the fitness of Benjani, and claims that was part of the reason why the club allowed City to pay for him in instalments.

City had expressed concerns about a knee injury Benjani had surgery on 18 months ago and tried to renegotiate the deal.

But after the Premier League confirmed the paperwork for the switch had been submitted before the midnight deadline last week, the two clubs managed to thrash out a settlement and Storrie is satisfied Pompey will eventually get all their money.

"We, of course, are confident of him playing the required number of games, otherwise we would not have agreed to the deal," he told his club's official website, www.portsmouthfc.co.uk.

"City had expressed some concern over a knee operation 18 months ago but, as Benji has never shown any sign of trouble since the operation and rarely misses a match or training, we were happy to come to this arrangement.

"Fees from transfers are always spread over a period of time so this is nothing new and we could well be paid the full fee quicker this way than in other circumstances.

"The Premier League have thanked us for adopting this sensible solution and Manchester City are also grateful we have come to this agreement.

"Above all, Benji is no longer in limbo and everyone at Fratton Park wishes him continued success."

City chief executive Alistair Mackintosh was equally delighted the matter had been resolved.

"I would 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," he told his club's website, www.mcfc.co.uk."

City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson added: "I am delighted that we have signed such a quality player and I am looking forward to working with him straight away."