Football Talk Update - Lescott Signs for City 27/08/09
**UPDATE 26/08/09** Joleon Lescott has completed his move from Everton to Manchester City.
The 27-year-old defender signed a five-year deal with the Eastlands outfit on Tuesday night, after City had a bid, reportedly worth £22m, accepted by Everton. Confirmation of the transfer takes Mark Hughes' summer spending beyond £120million. City boss Mark Hughes said: "I am absolutely delighted to welcome Joleon to Manchester City. He is an England international who has proved his Premier League ability during his time at Everton.
"In bringing Joleon to the club I feel we have recruited a defender of the very highest quality. He can play in a number of defensive positions, and I'm positive he will make a significant impact for us." Lescott said: "I'm over the moon to get the move completed, and I'm looking forward to training with the lads as I've not trained for a few days.
"I know some of the lads already - I'm close friends with Shaun (Wright-Phillips), we've played against each other since we were 16 or 17. The way this club is moving on, I'm really looking forward to being a part of that."
25/08/09 Everton have agreed a fee of around £24million with Manchester City for defender Joleon Lescott, with a deal expected to be completed on Monday.
City have already seen two offers for the England international turned by Everton manager David Moyes. Moyes initially stood firm over Lescott, despite the defender recently handing in a written transfer request, but the Scot eventually capitulated when City came back with a third offer for the England international. A statement on City's official website said: "Manchester City can confirm that agreement has been reached with Everton for the transfer of Joleon Lescott.
"The move is subject to the player agreeing personal terms and passing a medical." Everton added: "Moyes has revealed there was a noticeable change in the player's attitude and as a result decided that it is in the best interests of the Club if he allowed Lescott to leave. "Chairman Bill Kenwright has worked tirelessly to get the best deal for Everton, achieving a substantial increase on Manchester City's initial offer. Lescott will now meet with Manchester City and will sign subject to him successfully negotiating personal terms and passing a medical."
Lescott joined from Wolves for a fee of £5million in 2006 and has since made 113 Premier League appearances for the club, scoring 14 goals. Lescott now looks set to join the likes of Kolo Toure, Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor in signing at Eastlands this summer.
