City sign Jerome Boateng

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Jerome Boateng has confirmed that he will sign for Manchester City before appearing for Germany in the World Cup this summer.

The highly-rated Hamburg defender has received praise for his level of performances since moving to the club from Hertha Berlin in 2007, becoming the subject of much interest from some of Europe's top clubs.

City appear to have stolen a march on their rivals for the 21-year-old's signature, with manager Roberto Mancini visiting the player in Hamburg and agreeing a £10.46million move to Eastlands.

"I am going to sign on (for City) before leaving for the World Cup and the deal will be completed," Boateng told Bild magazine

"It has been decided that I am moving there."

Boateng was delighted to see the move go through, admitting that Mancini played a big part in his decision to move to England, where he will compete with the likes of Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott for a starting role in the centre of defence.

"He (Mancini) came with two representatives to Hamburg and we chatted for one or two hours," said Boateng.

"He convinced me to make the transfer. He believes that I will definitely need a few months to get settled in once in England, but that he sees so much potential in me that he will improve me.

Not afraid

"Even if many people say that I am going to struggle to make the breakthrough, I am confident that I will.

"I am not afraid of anybody."

Boateng also hit out at how his family was being hounded by the German press after half-brother Kevin-Prince's challenge on Michael Ballack in the FA Cup final ruled the Chelsea midfielder out of the World Cup.

Germany captain Ballack was considered the talisman of the squad and key to his country's chances of winning the tournament, but Kevin-Prince, who could face off against Jerome in the final group game after switching allegiances to Ghana through a parental connection, has come under severe scrutiny.

"It disturbs me the way our family name is being dragged around in public and my family is not being left in peace," he added.

"It is not on that my big brother George suddenly has cameras on his doorstep and he is being forced to stay indoors.

"They said I have just got to live with that, being a Boateng.

"This has overstepped the mark. It has been ridiculous."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_6185859,00.html

[Badboy 1,526]

He must be very promising, his grandfather scored the winner for germany in the world cup final !

[BlueLion. 21,491]

He's a brilliant player and a great acquisition for City; one of the first signings they've made with any sense involved.

[Luke 60]

Heard only good things about this lad.

[Term-X 7,891]

r.i.p liverpool

won't be seeing them in the top 4 for a very long time.

[EskWeston 696]

If City start to be more shrewd with their signings and stop just going for names they will really be a threat this season. No CL football will make it harder for them to attract the players but as i said, if they are clever with their signings then they will do well.