Given completes City switch

Manchester City signed Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given from Newcastle for an undisclosed fee on Sunday.

Given underwent a medical on Sunday, while Newcastle were playing Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby, after being given permission to join Mark Hughes’s side.

The 32-year-old, who has been keen to leave St James Park for several months, signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with City after making more than 450 appearances for Newcastle since in 1997.

Given will replace youngster Joe Hart as City’s first choice keeper and is Hughes’s fourth signing in the transfer window following the captures of Wayne Bridge, Craig Bellamy and Nigel de Jong.

“I have said for a long time that we need the experience of a keeper like Shay,” Hughes said.

“I am delighted that we have been able to acquire such an accomplished keeper, and one so highly regarded by everyone in the Premier League. I have had a good talk with him about where we expect to be in the future.

“From a football point of view, and a club point of view, it’s an easy thing to sell because we know we are going in the right direction. Players want to be part of that.”