City getting me at my peak, says Tour.

KOLO Tour believes Manchester City are getting him at his peak after completing his move from Arsenal yesterday. The 28-year-old has signed a four-year contract after free-spending City agreed a fee of pounds 15m with the Gunners.

Tour joined Arsenal as a largely unknown 20-year-old from ASEC Mimosas in 2002, but now moves to City as an accomplished defender with Champions League experience and 70 caps for Ivory Coast.

"It is always difficult to leave a place where you have spent the last eight years and had good times but I felt the time was right for a new challenge and I am still at an age, 28, where I feel I am at my peak and will play my best football," said Tour.

"For me it was time to move but only for the right club and I feel that Manchester City is that club. The ambition here is clear to see and is big. Everyone knows this club is moving and that is really, really important.

"I still want to achieve things and I feel as though I can bring something to City and that is what I will be striving to do. It is not just about quality on the pitch it is about blending as a team and with my experience I think I can help City do just that."

City hope that Tour is the latest piece in an expensive jigsaw that can catapult them into contention for a Champions League place. "I am delighted to welcome Kolo to Manchester City," manager Mark Hughes said.

"It is no secret that we have been looking to strengthen our defence, and in Kolo I feel we have recruited a worldclass player. He brings a wealth of Premier League experience."

Tour will be unveiled to the media today alongside a delighted Hughes, who added: "Kolo has been a central figure in a very strong Arsenal team for many years.

"I have been an admirer of him for a long time. He is strong, quick, reads the game well and will be an influential figure in the dressing room."

Hughes turned to Tour after his efforts to bring in John Terry were rebuffed first by Chelsea, then by the player himself.

Tour's arrival is City's sixth signing of the summer. His former Arsenal team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor has already checked in at Eastlands, along with Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry and back-up goalkeeper Stuart Taylor.

Meanwhile, City defender Nedum Onuoha, 22, has moved to end speculation over his future at the club by agreeing a new five-year contract.

Bulgarian striker Valeri Bojinov, however, is heading for the exit door as he is having talks with Serie A side Parma over a proposed loan move.