Eliaquim Mangala is a real boost for Manchester City

Eliaquim Mangala signed for Manchester City on Monday

Eliaquim Mangala signed for Manchester City yesterday and our Alex Johnson thinks that it is a fantastic move for the Champions.

Manchester City have bolstered their defensive ranks ahead of the new Premier League season.

They have signed Eliaquim Mangala from Porto for a fee in the region of 32million.

The France international had been linked with a move to the Etihad for over a year now, coming close to agreeing a deal to join the club in January before Porto pulled the plug at the last minute. City manager Manuel Pellegrini has finally got his man, however, and Mangala has now signed for the Premier League champions on a five-year deal.

Pellegrini had been looking for an obvious central defensive partner for skipper Vincent Kompany since his arrival at the club last year, and the signing of Mangala seems to have solved that particular problem as City prepare to defend their league title.

"He has all of the mental, physical, technical and tactical attributes to become one of Europe's very best defenders," said the City boss.

"Eliaquim is a player I believe will make an immediate impact in the Premier League, thanks to his physicality, his reading of the game and quality on the ball. I think he will prove to be a great signing for us."

After making his international debut in June 2013, Mangala was an unused member of France's 2014 World Cup squad in Brazil. Predominantly a centre-back, the 23-year-old is also capable of filling in at left-back if needed, blessed with the pace and power needed to handle Premier League football.

Mangala initially made his name at Standard Liege in Belgium as a youngster, helping the club to the Belgian Pro League title in 2009 before moving to Porto two years later.

During his time in Portugal, the defender played a crucial role in the club winning two league titles, going on to earn his first France call up against Uruguay in 2013 after an impressive domestic season.

It didn't take long for City and Pellegrini to take notice of Mangala, and the Premier League champions have now shelled out over 30million to secure the youngster's services.

While City might not have been as active in this summer's transfer market as they would have wanted due to the Financial Fair Play Rules, Pellegrini has still been able to strengthen his already-fearsome squad with six new players.

He has followed Frank Lampard, Bruno Zuculini, Bacary Sagna, Willy Caballero and former Porto team-mate Fernando in arriving at the Etihad since the end of last season.