Manchester City have signed Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn Rovers, enabling the Paraguay striker to renew his partnership with his former manager Mark Hughes.
The English Premier League team didn't reveal the transfer fee or contract terms, although UK media suggests City are paying Rovers around £17 million ($A35.4 million) - 20 per cent of which will go to his former club Bayern Munich.
Hughes signed Santa Cruz from Bayern while managing Blackburn two years ago. The striker scored 23 goals in his first season at Ewood Park, although injuries reduced his Premier League tally to four last season.
The 27-year-old is City's second major signing in the close season after England midfielder Gareth Barry joined from Aston Villa. City, owned by members of the Abu Dhabi royal family, signed Barry for £12 million ($A25 million) on a five-year contract.
Hughes said he expected more signings to follow at the club that last won a trophy in 1976, with a £25.5 million ($A53 million) deal for Carlos Tevez expected to be completed on July 1 after the Argentinian striker rejected the offer of a five-year contract at Manchester United.
Hughes is seeking to build a team capable of challenging the Premier League's big four of champions United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. City finished 10th last season, 22 points behind fourth-place Arsenal and 40 adrift of cross-town rivals United.
A squad including £32.2 million ($A67 million) British record signing Robinho, England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given managed only two away wins in 19 league games.
LONDON
