City complete Santa Cruz capture as Liverpool agree Johnson deal
Long time City target Santa Cruz completed a £17million (€20m) move from Blackburn after a lengthy medical yesterday while Liverpool look to have beaten Chelsea to the capture of Johnson after agreeing terms with the Pompey full-back.
City boss Mark Hughes felt it was vital for the club to sign Santa Cruz.
The South American was Hughes’ second big signing of the summer, following the arrival of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.
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 said. “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.”
It is the form Santa Cruz showed during his first year in England after Hughes signed him from Bayern Munich that City fans will be hoping to see at Eastlands.
The Paraguay forward, who is set for his third World Cup campaign next summer, scored 23 goals in 43 appearances, compared with just four in the Premier League last term, when he was badly affected by knee problems.
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 to have finally completed his move.
“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.’’
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. “The main idea of the owners and the gaffer is to take the club as far as possible. I think everybody expects a lot and the fact the club are signing big players, great players, shows we want to be as good as possible.
“Everybody is talking about breaking the top four so once we get there, we need to keep looking forward and see what is the best we can get.”
Liverpool have been linked with Johnson for a number of weeks while Pompey executive chairman Peter Storrie claimed last week Johnson’s former club Chelsea were willing to pay £18m (€21m) for the 24-year-old. And a statement from the club last night read: “Liverpool FC confirmed this evening that they had reached an agreement with Portsmouth Football Club and with Glen Johnson for the transfer of the player to Anfield.”
Johnson enjoyed arguably his best season in the Premier League last term as he established himself as England’s first-choice right-back and attracted the interest of bigger clubs.
Johnson will be Liverpool’s first major signing of the summer, but his arrival is sure to cast doubts over Alvaro Arbeloa’s long-term future on Merseyside.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
