Roque Santa Cruz has completed his £17million move to Manchester City. The Paraguayan passed a medical with the Eastlands outfit this afternoon and has now signed a deal to link up once more with Mark Hughes, his former manager at Blackburn.

Hughes has never made any secret of his desire to have Santa Cruz at City and having assured themselves the knee injury that kept the South American out at the end of last season has fully cleared up, the Blues have completed the signing of the striker. Santa Cruz becomes Hughes' second major signing of the summer, following the arrival of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa last month.

And, while the City chief has already highlighted Barry's leadership qualities, he is convinced Santa Cruz can be just as important an addition to a swiftly improving squad. "It was really important that we signed him because it's an area of the squad that we have needed to address for some time," Hughes told mcfc.co.uk.

The qualities Roque brings will be of great benefit. His ability in the air and his physical presence are things we have been missing,
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes.

"The qualities Roque brings will be of great benefit. His ability in the air and his physical presence are things we have been missing. But he also has technical ability and good pace for a big man. He is a very good player and one I know well from our time at Blackburn."

Despite the improvement of Felipe Caicedo during the final few weeks of last season, City were desperately in need of a senior striker to bring the best out of Steven Ireland, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Robinho, who continues to be linked with Barcelona.

Having brought the 27-year-old from Bayern Munich during his Blackburn days, Hughes knew exactly what Santa Cruz could bring to him team and after missing out on the player during the last two transfer windows, was quick to make contact with Rovers counterpart Sam Allardyce with another offer, which this time was accepted.

Although he managed just four Premier League goals last term, the memory of his 23 in 43 appearances during his first season at Ewood Park is still strong and Santa Cruz is expected to clock up a third FIFA World Cup™ finals campaign with Paraguay next summer.

City had to be satisfied those injury problems were a thing of the past before committing such a hefty fee to Blackburn coffers, with Santa Cruz equally delighted the news was good. After being heavily linked with a move to City during the past two transfer windows, Santa Cruz is relieved not to suffer another disappointment.

I know the kind of football Mark Hughes wants to play and the kind of character he is - he's a winner, he wants to make things happen and be successful,
New Manchester City signing Roque Santa Cruz.

"I know the kind of football Mark Hughes wants to play and the kind of character he is - he's a winner, he wants to make things happen and be successful," said Santa Cruz. Those are always my thoughts as well, so knowing what he wants was a big factor in coming here, because I know the club is going in the right direction. I know his staff and the kind of training they will have the team doing, so everything was very attractive for me."

Santa Cruz spoke with chief executive Garry Cook and chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak before agreeing to the move and was impressed by their response. Now he can't wait to get started. "The owners want the club to be more successful - they want to break into the top four, and the fact that the fans are so passionate about everything to do with City was also a factor," said Santa Cruz.

"I am very motivated to play for these fans. I spoke to the chairman and I know his ambitions are known to everybody at the club - he made sure that I know as well. It was a good conversation. He wants the best for the club and to give something back to the fans."