Bridge seals transfer to Man City

Bridge gives the thumbs-up after being unveiled as a Man City player

Manchester City have completed the signing of Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge for an undisclosed fee.

The 28-year-old England defender, who is thought to have cost City around £10m, joins the Premier League club on a four-and-half-a-year deal.

"He's of the right quality and he's the type of player we need to attract," said City boss Mark Hughes.

The capture of Bridge is expected to be the first of several signings by Hughes during the January transfer window.

Bridge joined Chelsea from Southampton for £7m in July 2003 and signed a new four-year extension to his contract in July 2008.

But he became surplus to requirements following the arrival of manager Luis Felipe Scolari.

Hughes has been a long-time admirer of Bridge.

606: DEBATE I really like Bridge and I'm sure he'll do well when he starts playing regularly 1066Kopite

"He is a player I knew when I was at Southampton and he was coming through the ranks," said Hughes.

"He was outstanding and has progressed year on year. I would be delighted to welcome him here.

"Wayne is already a successful player - he is an England international who plays for one of the top four clubs in the country."

City's oil-rich Arab billionaires Sheikh Mansour and club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak are set to bankroll a January spending spree with the intention of lifting City clear of the relegation zone.

Bridge has made 142 appearances for Chelsea in over five years, as well as earning 32 international caps for England.