David Silva must have felt at home straight away at the City of Manchester Stadium, having conjured the winning goal on his previous visit.
The Spanish international has happy memories of his new home ground after scoring for Champions League outfit Valencia in a pre-season opener against City in 2007.
He was joint top scorer with four goals in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championships, helping Spain to reach the quarter-finals, and made his senior debut in November, 2006.
David scored his first goals in a 3-2 win over Greece in 2007 and played a key role in Spain's 2008 European Championship success, including a semi-final goal against Russia.
He came to prominence when Valencia loaned him to top-flight side Celta Vigo for the 2005-06 season and he hit four goals in 31 games to help clinch a UEFA Cup spot.
David's exploits earned him a seven-year contract and he made more than 140 appearances for Valencia, scoring 20 goals, before deciding to join City's Blue Revolution. He quickly adjusted to the demands of English football, with a brilliant individual goal at Bloomfield Road helping him win City's player of the month award for October. More influential performances saw him scoop the same prize in the following month.
Edin Dzeko has joined City after completing his transfer from Wolfsburg.
He has signed a four and a half year deal and will wear the number 10 shirt.
The prolific 24-year-old striker can’t wait for the new marriage to start after a lengthy engagement.
He is likely to make his home debut against Wolves at CoMs on Saturday week (tickets still available).
“It has been a long time that I have been linked with the club going back to last summer but Wolfsburg did not want to sell me until today,” he smiled after completing a medical.
“There was too much speculation in the papers but my head is always clear. It is important that is the case because if you think too much about what might be it is a distraction and it can affect your game. I was always attracted most to joining City.
...Edin Dzeko
“They have been playing well this season. I have watched them a lot on television. Now the speculation is over and I just want to do my best.”
Bosnian star Dzeko, who has most recently been on a winter break with former club Wolfsburg, has no doubt why he joined the Blues.
“Everybody speaks about City having lots of money but it is not about that. It is about ambition and I have spoken to coach Mancini and he told me ‘this is the best club for you’,” he explained in his excellent English.
“City are playing for first place in the Premier League and that is what I want. I am excited to play alongside players such as Tevez and Toure who I have only seen on the television and to be in the same team as players I have played against such as Boateng and Kompany.
“They will help me achieve my goal to be better in the future. I want to show the fans why the club paid the money for me. Everyone expects goals and I want to score them but most of all I want to contribute to a successful team.
“I don’t want to talk about my skill - that is for other people to judge. However, I know my quality and when I am fit I am not afraid of a challenge.
“I don’t know a lot about Manchester because I have only been once but I am looking forward to seeing the city and meeting the fans and getting to know everyone at the club.”
The hitman clearly offers Mancini a different option as a target man par excellence, cannot wait to get started:
...Edin Dzeko
He has scored 10 goals in 17 League games this season for the Bundesliga champions and was a target for some of Europe's top clubs before opting to move to the City of Manchester Stadium.
His signing, Mancini's ninth since the former Inter boss took charge of the team just over a year ago, will be seen as a statement of intent with title-chasing City lying second in the table.
Sarajevo-born Dzeko began his career at his local side FK Zeljeznicar and turned few heads as a midfielder. But when he moved to Czech club Teplice, he finished as top scorer for 2006-07 with 13 goals from 30 appearances.
Dzeko moved to Wolfsburg in the summer of 2007 for €4million, and made an immediate impact with five goals in 11 games, eventually helping the club to fifth place and a UEFA Cup spot.
His second season was exceptional. Dzeko formed a potent partnership with Brazilian Grafite, scoring 26 out of the duo's record-breaking 54 goals as Wolfsburg won their first league title.
A further 10 goals in domestic and European cup competitions clinched the 2008-09 German Footballer of the Year award. Dzeko was also nominated for the 2009 Ballon d'Or, won by Lionel Messi.
The striker, who was made a UNICEF ambassador in November 2009, became the highest League scorer in Wolfsburg's history with 66 goals in 111 Bundesliga matches. He scored 84 times for the club in all competitions.
New teammate Jerome Boateng is clearly a fan.
“Dzeko has everything,” he praised. “He can shoot right left and can head the ball too. He is a very strong striker. He is a quality player. Against Hamburg he always played well and seemed to score, it was always a big challenge.
“He can hold the ball well and he knows how to move with his body. He has a good eye for the goal."
The World Heavyweight Champion was destroyed by The Corre on SmackDown and may be in no shape to compete against The Miz in their match on Monday night.
It was a rough Monday night for John Cena as he was ambushed by CM Punk's latest Nexus recruit. Is this new group too much for the "Legendary" star to handle?
7
10
THE CORRE
A week after destroying Big Show, the team of Wade Barrett, Ezekiel Jackson, Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater continued to raise hell by brutally attacking Edge on SmackDown.
The Glamazon just loves to smash Team Lay-Cool. Last week she destroyed Michelle McCool and this week she battered Layla. But you can't say they didn't deserve it.
The Scottish Superstar got revenge against Trent Barreta on SmackDown after losing to the young talent last Friday, but his vicious assault was stopped by Kelly Kelly.
The No. 1 contender to the Divas Championship watched Natalya dominate Maryse on Monday night. Hopefully, she has a better game plan for Nattie than the French Diva did.
