Stefan Savic has become City’s second signing in three days after agreeing a four-year deal.
The 20-year-old Montenegro defender joins the Blues from Serbian side Partizan Belgrade and is rated as one of the brightest prospects in European football.
Savic was granted a work permit by the Home Office thanks to his prominence in the Montenegro national team who are currently England’s main opposition for a place in the Euro 2012 finals next summer.
Able to play in the centre or right of defence, Savic has represented his country at all levels and has won six caps for the senior side to date.
He began his career with BSK Borca, playing 27 times for them between 2009 and 2010 and appeared to be on the verge of joining Arsenal 2010 after having a 10-day trial with the Gunners.
With the North London side failing to commit to a deal, Partizan Belgrade moved in for the player who agreed a four-year contract with the then teenager. A month later he made his senior international debut against Northern Ireland and played his part in holding England to a 0-0 draw at Wembley last October.
Savic faced no fewer than five City players in that game, with Joe Hart, Adam Johnson, Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry and Shaun Wright-Phillips all in action that night – though it is the latter Savic remembers best.
“I was up against Shaun when he came on as a substitute and he was very tricky!” smiled Savic.
“I never imagined that I’d be team-mates with all those City players within a year and I’m so happy to be at this club.
“I can’t wait to play alongside them and all the other fantastic players we have here. It is a dream come true and I’m especially looking forward to meeting Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov because they both speak my language and come from the Balkans, too.
“Aleks has already phoned me to welcome to City which makes me feel at home already.
“I watch the Premier League all the time and I know it’s the place to be so I am just looking forward to helping this club achieve great things. We have an incredible stadium and I’ve seen how passionate the City fans are many times on TV.
“Montenegro play England later this year so I’m expecting to have some great banter with the England lads. I’m just really happy to be a City player.”
http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2011/July/Manchester-City-sign-Stefan-Savic
