JAMIE Pollock today signed for Manchester City in a £1million deal.

The two clubs agreed a fee yesterday and the combative midfielder trained with his new team-mates this morning after agreeing personal terms.

City boss Joe Royle targeted hard man Pollock as the central figure the Blues need to fight their way out of the First Division relegation zone and enthused: "We are delighted Jamie has agreed to join us.

"He's a quality player with Premiership experience and our fans will love him.".

Barring any problems with his medical, Pollock will make his debut in Saturday's crucial Maine Road clash with Sheffield United.

He will relish the switch back to his favoured position in the middle after making no secret of his dissatisfaction with playing on the right side of the Wanderers midfield.

Stockton-born Pollock, just 24 and an England youth and under-21 international, has struggled to settle at Wanderers since his £1million transfer from Spanish club Osasuna 18 months ago.

His major problems have concerned being played out of what he considers his best position and he has twice been transfer listed this season after taking his concerns to Wanderers manager Colin Todd.

He played a major part in Wanderers' romp to the First Division title last season when he started 21 games and was substitute in three others after his November arrival, scoring six goals including the landmark 100th league goal in the last match at Tranmere.

This season he has figured in 27 of the 29 Premiership games, two as substitute, and scored one league goal.

Todd said: "The move has been brought on by the boy asking for a transfer.

"I circulated his name and it is now up to him and City to agree personal terms."

It appeared Pollock would not figure prominently in Todd's plans after he expressed his concerns about being substituted in the recent defeat at Spurs.

Todd added: "He did not figure in the game at Liverpool and he was not in the squad for the Sheffield Wednesday game. The move is something he wanted to happen."

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