Benarbia retires from City

Ali Benarbia announced his retirement from football today just as Trevor Sinclair was completing a move to Manchester City.

The 34-year-old Algerian midfielder’s decision was unexpected as he signed a 12-month extension to his contract, so he could play at the City of Manchester Stadium.

But Sinclair’s arrival means he would have been pushed further down the pecking order.

And manager Kevin Keegan is keen to bolster that area of the field with a further addition to the squad.

Benarbia came to his decision after playing the first 45 minutes of the 2-1 defeat by Third Division Mansfield in a friendly on Saturday.

He arrived at Maine Road on a free transfer from Paris St Germain in September 2001 and helped the club win the First Division title that season.

However he struggled to maintain that scintillating form in the Premiership.

Sinclair passed his medical this morning before linking up with his new team-mates at the club’s Carrington training complex.

The 30-year-old winger, who has signed a four-year contract, could make his bow against Odense tomorrow. City then face Feyenoord on Friday on their Danish tour.

Keegan told the club’s official website, www.mcfc.co.uk: “Trevor is an England international at the peak of his career.

“He will now have plenty time to get to know his new team mates prior to our competitive games.

“Everything is done now and he gives us another string to our bow.

“He can play right or left and he can play wing-back. I am delighted with him.”

While Benarbia has decided at 34 to hang up his boots, 39-year-old England goalkeeper David Seaman has indicated he could stay at Manchester City beyond next season.

“The move has not been difficult as it is my job,” said the former Arsenal shot-stopper. “As a player if you are not wanted at a club then you move on.

“I felt that I still have at least one year left in my playing at a high standard.

“I want to take it a year at a time and see how I feel at the end of the season.

“But you shouldn’t rule out another year (at Manchester City).

“I shall see how I feel. If my game is still good, I am playing well and Manchester City are doing well, then who knows?”