The Paraguay striker has completed his long-running transfer from Blackburn Rovers, signing a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

After putting pen to paper, he told the club's official website he made the decision to switch because he was convinced there is a bright future at the City of Manchester Stadium.

He already knows manager Mark Hughes who signed him for Rovers from Bayern Munich and he believes he can add to his collection of Bundesliga medals with the Sky Blues.

Santa Cruz spoke at length to Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Chief Executive Gary Cook as well as his former Blackburn manager before committing himself and he was impressed by their vision for the future of the club.

He said: "I'm very happy to have signed for City - it's been close to happening for a while, and now I can just focus on football and concentrate on doing my best for the club.

"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. 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.

"I know his staff and the kind of training they will have the team doing, so everything was very attractive for me.

"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. I am very motivated to play for these fans.

"I spoke to the chairman and I know his ambitions are known to everybody at the club - he made sure that I know as well. It was a good conversation. He wants the best for the club and to give something back to the fans."

Manager Hughes said: "We're obviously delighted to get him here. 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, and the qualities Roque brings will be of great benefit.

"His ability in the air and his physical presence are qualities we've been missing, but he also has technical ability and good pace for a big man. He's a very good player and one I know well from our time at Blackburn."

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