Spain international Javi Garcia has signed for City for an undisclosed fee from Benfica.

Garcia brings extensive experience of the Champions League with him to Manchester, having made his competition debut for Real Madrid back in 2005.

A defensive midfielder by trade, the 25-year-old has been capped by the Spanish national team once, in a friendly against Serbia earlier this year.

Garcia began his career with Madrid, representing the La Liga side's B team 86 times before graduating to the first team.

He won the European U19 Championships with his country, playing alongside Juan Mata and Gerard Pique as they defeated Scotland in the final in Poland.

Four appearances followed before the deep-lying playmaker joined Osasuna for £3m in 2007 and it was at the El Sadar Stadium that Javi’s reputation soared thanks to his impressive performances as the club avoided relegation from La Liga.

This good form saw Real Madrid exercise their buy-back clause, returning the midfielder to the Santiago Bernabeu for the 2008/09 season where he made another 15 appearances as Real finished second to Barcelona.

Benfica then swooped for Garcia who became an instant hit in Lisbon, making 30 appearances in his first season and scoring three goals.

Garcia’s first silverware arrived in 2010 as the Eagles lifted the Portuguese title and he played an instrumental role in that success, supplying goals and assists as they also clinched Portugal's League Cup.

He added another couple of Portuguese League Cups in 2011 and 2012 to cement himself as a firm fans' favourite - something the Spaniard will hope to replicate with City.

Javi, the cousin of former Liverpool star Luis Garcia, was the final transfer deal of the summer for Roberto Mancini and will hope to play a part in City's first game after the international break, away to Stoke.

Garcia has chosen to wear the no.14 shirt.

Watch out for a video interview with the Blues' new signing over the weekend.

European football expert Andy Brassell:
"The signing of Javi Garcia is a coup for Roberto Mancini, and not nearly as expensive as it could have been at an initial £16m. With all due respect to Nigel de Jong, Garcia is a huge upgrade. Brought through the Real Madrid academy he is of good stock, but has improved his game tenfold since arriving in Lisbon. The 25-year-old is strong, good in the air, a good passer and has the adaptability to play at centre-back too. Perhaps the best aspect for City is that his power will allow Yaya Toure to be used further forward more often.

This made me a bit excited, and slightly less sad about our Nige leaving..
Form BBC website..

Could turn out to be a great signing. Whoever the BBC had as their Portuguese/Spanish expert on 5Live tonight reckoned it was a great bit of business for us and practically a steal. He used a phrase to the extent of "he'll slot stright in where De Jong left, but he brings so much more to the team than De Jong" then went on to explain how he's an excellent passer of the ball who's also comfortable at centre half.

Plus he looks like he's been blacked up Enrique Iglesias.

Could turn out to be a great signing. Whoever the BBC had as their Portuguese/Spanish expert on 5Live tonight reckoned it was a great bit of business for us and practically a steal. He used a phrase to the extent of "he'll slot stright in where De Jong left, but he brings so much more to the team than De Jong" then went on to explain how he's an excellent passer of the ball who's also comfortable at centre half.

Plus he looks like he's been blacked up Enrique Iglesias.

Could turn out to be a great signing. Whoever the BBC had as their Portuguese/Spanish expert on 5Live tonight reckoned it was a great bit of business for us and practically a steal. He used a phrase to the extent of "he'll slot stright in where De Jong left, but he brings so much more to the team than De Jong" then went on to explain how he's an excellent passer of the ball who's also comfortable at centre half.

Plus he looks like he's been blacked up Enrique Iglesias.

Welcome to the club Kidder.

erm, he's Spanish... or is that a swipe at Spain/ Portugal

I said on twitter before the game and not sure if i mentioned it here that game was man made for a De Jong type player.