City complete cut-price £3.87m deal for Benjani

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Zimbabwe striker joins the Blues on a two-and-a-half-year deal after passing a medical yesterday and agreeing personal terms.

Further payments could be made if the player makes up to 75 senior starts but the deal is a massive difference from the original £7.7m on offer before City raised concerns about the striker's fitness.

Scroll down for more

City slicker: Benjani has left Portsmouth to join Sven Goran Eriksson's Manchester City

The two clubs came to a compromise on the transfer having originally reached an impasse after City tried to back out of the original deal last Thursday night after concerns about the striker's fitness.

Pompey called in the Premier League, claiming the 29-year-old's move had already been completed, and they confirmed the paperwork for the switch had been submitted before the transfer deadline, meaning the move will satisfy FIFA.

"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," chief executive Alistair Mackintosh told the club's website, mcfc.co.uk.

"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."

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."

Portsmouth's director of communications Gary Double declared his satisfaction with the deal, claiming they had no concerns over the player'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."