MANCHESTER // Manchester City boosted their defensive options by signing Martin Demichelis, the Argentine centre back, from Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
With captain Vincent Kompany sidelined for around a month with a groin problem and his usual partner in the heart of defence, Matija Nastasic, only just back from injury himself, the arrival of 32-year-old Demichelis will be welcomed by fans.
Demichelis, who last played for Argentina in 2011, has penned a two-year deal the day before the transfer window shuts with City having already splashed out on attacking players Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo in the close season.
"I am delighted to have joined City because I am still hungry for success and want to improve," Demichelis, who has worked with Manuel Pellegrini, the City manager, before at River Plate and Malaga, said on the club website.
"I have been in Europe for 11 years now and this was a great chance for me to play in the Premier League with such a big club."
City, who had already spent around £90 million (Dh514.4m) on new signings, did not disclose financial details of the deal but local media reported the transfer fee to be in the region of £4m.
Demichelis had joined Atletico in July having been out of contract at Malaga and had signed a one-year deal with the Madrid club.
Demichelis spent much of his career at Bayern Munich where he won four Bundesliga titles and four German Cups and was a member of the side who lost to Inter Milan in the 2010 Champions League final.
Such experience will be useful for City, who are hoping to recapture the Premier League crown they lost to Manchester United last season as well as improve on two disappointing Champions League showings that ended in group-stage exits.
"I have lived in Europe for many years and I don't think there'll be any problems in adjusting to life here," Demichelis said. "Now I want to repay the manager's faith in me out on the pitch. I can't wait to get started."
City's next game is at Stoke City in the Premier League on September 14.
They have won two and lost one of their opening three games, including a 3-2 defeat by Cardiff City where two of the goals came from set pieces late in a game where they played midfielder Javi Garcia in central defence because of injuries.
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West Bromwich Albion have secured the services of midfielder Morgan Amalfitano on a season-long loan from Marseille with an option to make the deal permanent.
OM confirmed the 28-year-old, who has been at the Ligue 1 club since 2011, made the switch to The Hawthorns in an early transfer deadline day move.
Amalfitano has one international cap for France and has also played for Lorient and Sedan.
Marseille confirmed in a statement on their official website: "Olympique de Marseille announce the loan with a purchase option for a permanent transfer for Morgan Amalfitano to English club West Bromwich Albion."
West Brom manager Steve Clarke is also looking to strengthen up front after seeing his side go a third straight league game without scoring.
Clarke's men are bottom of the table with just one point and he is hoping to have new resources available by the close of play.
"I've spoken at length about the need to bring fresh faces in to the club,'' he said.
"I hope there will be some good news for the supporters, we all need good news...even I need some good news.
"I need some players in forward areas that can give us a bit of quality so we create chances.
"All the top teams have that through the centre and have pace on the wider areas.
"(Sporting director) Richard (Garlick) and Mark Jenkins, the chief executive, have been working hard to make this club better and make them more competitive.''
Asked about the likelihood of Peter Odemwingie - who made a dash down the M6 to Loftus Road on transfer deadline day in January in a bid to push through a move to QPR - being at the club in 24 hours' time, Clarke said: "I have no idea about Peter Odemwingie, that's the truth. I think it is 50-50 over whether Odemwingie goes.''
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