Manchester City sign Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez from Leicester.

The 27-year-old has been a long-term target for City, and moves to the Premier League champions on a five-year-deal for an undisclosed fee.

"I am so pleased to have joined City, a side playing great football under Pep Guardiola. They're redefining the English game and I wanted to be a part of it," Mahrez said on his new club's website.

Leicester rejected City's reported offer of £50 million (Dh243.7m) plus winger Patrick Roberts - valued at £15m - in January, and Mahrez missed two games during the saga.

Leicester said in a statement the deal was a "club-record fee" though no figure was released.

Mahrez was given extra time off by Leicester after playing in Algeria's international games in June and had been set to return to pre-season training before confirmation of his move to City.

The winger is confident he can take his game to another level at the Etihad Stadium.

The best things come to those who wait… 🕘#welcomeriyad to Manchester City! 💙 #mancity pic.twitter.com/lLjJZrz4J0
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 10, 2018

"Watching them from afar has been a pleasure. Pep is committed to playing attacking football, which is a perfect for me, and City's performances last season were outstanding," he said on the club's official website.

"I think we can be successful over the coming years and I believe my own game can develop under Pep's management."

City director of football Txiki Begiristain is confident Mahrez will prove a valuable addition as the champions look to mount a successful defence of their Premier League title and succeed in Europe.

"Riyad is a hugely talented player. He beats defenders and creates space," Begiristain said on the club's website.

"Over the past few years, he has established himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting players. We're sure he will bring additional attacking quality to our squad."

Leicester had already brought in cover with the £24m arrival of attacking midfielder James Maddison from Norwich.

Mahrez helped Leicester to a shock Premier League title triumph in 2016, scoring 17 times, and then played a major role in the club reaching the Champions League quarter-finals during the following campaign.

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The Algerian, who signed from Le Havre for £400,000 during 2014, leaves the Foxes having made 180 appearances, scoring 48 times.

Leicester wished Mahrez well for the challenges ahead with City.

A statement on the Leicester website read: "In the four and a half years since Riyad signed for the Foxes, he has played his way into the hearts of all Leicester City supporters.

"His moments of magic will live long in the memory as the club and its fans continue to build a long-term legacy for the success delivered by the teams to which Riyad so memorably contributed.

"Riyad leaves with the best wishes of everybody who has worked with him at Leicester City Football Club. He will be welcomed back to King Power Stadium as both an opposition player and a friend of the club."

Manchester City sign Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City

The Algerian completes deal to join the Premier League champions