Manchester City have completed the signing of centre-back Tal Ben Haim from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee.
The Israeli joined Chelsea on a free transfer from Bolton in June 2007 but has left after failing to establish himself in the first-team set-up.
He has been allowed to leave by new Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari and has signed a four-year deal with City.
The 26-year-old's transfer is subject to him gaining a work permit, which should prove a formality.
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He is believed to have cost about Ј5m and is City's second summer signing after the arrival of Brazilian striker Jo for Ј18m from CSKA Moscow.
Ben Haim will be hoping for more first-team football at Eastlands after just 13 starts for Chelsea last season.
But, while he was competing with John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Alex at Stamford bridge, he will be battling for a central defensive berth with Richard Dunne and Micah Richards at City.
Hughes had hinted to a defensive signing as he recently said: "With so many games to play this season it is important to get the balance right.
"Last season the team was weakened when Micah Richards and Richard Dunne were not in it. We are trying to address that."
(BBC)
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