Willy Caballero joins Manchester City: Former Malaga goalkeeper joins on a three-year deal

32-year-old worked under Manuel Pellegrini at Malaga

Former Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero has signed a three-year deal with Manchester City (Manchester City FC)

Manchester City have signed goalkeeper Willy Caballero on a three-year deal.

The 32-year-old Argentinian played under City boss Manuel Pellegrini at Malaga and will bring a wealth of experience to the club. The fee is reported to be between £6-£8m.

City were searching for someone to provide competition to No 1 Joe Hart after Costel Pantilimon left for Sunderland.

"I am very happy, and really looking forward to the start of pre-season and performing well to help the team," Caballero told mcfc.co.uk.

"This is a new challenge and a new league for me. I have been doing well in the previous years and my goal is to go on and hopefully perform at the same level for City.

"I know I am coming to a big club with a very good goalkeeper. City already have a great goalkeeper in Joe Hart, but I will try and compete for the No 1 spot. I will do my best in the training sessions."

Caballero started his career in Argentina with Boca Juniors, where he won the Primera League and the Copa Libertadores.

He moved to Elche and played 186 league matches before moving to Pellegrini's Malaga on an emergency transfer in February 2011.

At the start of the next season Caballero was excellent, setting a club record by going 480 minutes without conceding. Malaga ended up qualifying for the Champions League for the 2012-13 season.

Malaga were impressive in Europe the next season, as the club reached the quarter-finals.

"The most beautiful moments of my career were under Manuel Pellegrini in Malaga, where we achieved big things and we made Malaga’s name known around Europe," added Caballero.

"As for my new team-mates, I have a very good relationship with Martin Demichelis, but I’ve never met Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero. It’s something I’m looking forward to. For me it is very good to have people from Argentina in the squad because I think it will be very helpful.

"I spoke to Roque Santa Cruz and Demichelis, and they told me that Manchester is a very beautiful city and very welcoming, so that will be great for my family and I can’t wait to enjoy it.

"I’ve always loved the Premier League, I watched it as a child and I always liked the style of play here,” he said. “When I was 19 I came to play a friendly against England and I really liked how they played and how passionate the fans are. It’s a big step in my career and a dream realised to play in the Premier League.

"Hopefully we can have many happy times together."