Ambitious City sign veteran Seaman

CHAIRMAN John Wardle hailed David Seaman’s arrival at Manchester City and then delivered a statement of European intent to the rest of his Premier League rivals.

With neither Seaman nor manager Kevin Keegan around to discuss the signing of England’s veteran keeper, it was left to Wardle to bask in the glory of another audacious City transfer coup.

After 13 years at Arsenal, the keeper has followed Peter Schmeichel, Nicolas Anelka, Marc-Vivien Foe and Robbie Fowler through the entrance door of a club languishing midway in the First Division 18 months ago.

Seaman’s decision to quit the Gunners, even though he had the offer of a one-year contract and the possibility of a coaching role from Arsene Wenger, confirms Keegan’s extraordinary pulling power, plus the added attraction of a new stadium and European football, thanks to UEFA’s Fair Play League.

The 39-year-old will almost certainly be between the sticks when City embark on their first continental adventure for 24 years next August and, having seen Keegan deliver on his first three promises, Wardle is predicting even better days ahead.

“It is a long time since we have been in Europe but we are not just going along for the ride,” he said.

“I want to stay there, as well as the Premiership. Kevin will probably be aiming for a top-six place next season and I share his optimism,” he said.

Although Seaman’s arrival might be seen as another short-term measure by some worried City fans, who saw fellow veteran Peter Schmeichel leave this summer after a single season at Maine Road, the former Leeds and QPR keeper believes he is capable of operating for at least another two years at the highest level.

And, now his immediate future is resolved, he will definitely be targeting a return to Sven-Goran Eriksson’s England squad and aim to increase his 75-cap haul and re-establish himself in time for next summer’s European Championships in Portugal.

“I want at least one more season of first-team football in the Premiership and I feel as fit as ever,” he said.

Seaman will be joined at City’s new 48,000-capacity Eastlands home by another new face in experienced Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Tarnat, who signed a one-year contract after six years and a host of trophies with the Bundesliga giants.

Both men have arrived on Bosman transfers, meaning there should still be some cash left in an estimated £5m transfer kitty.