Elliot Anderson has completed his £116m move to Manchester City and declared that, despite becoming their record signing, he can get better.
And the England international took a swipe at City’s neighbours by calling his new club the “kings of Manchester”.
Manchester United also wanted to buy the 23-year-old from Nottingham Forest before City smashed their transfer record by agreeing a £116m deal – which was set to make Anderson the most expensive English player ever, until Chelsea then paid £117m for Morgan Rogers.
Anderson, who has signed a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium, has warned he has not reached his peak yet.
“I'm only 23, so I've got plenty of time to get to my best levels and I definitely think I'm not there yet and there's more to come from me,” the former Newcastle midfielder said.
City, who won the Premier League six times in a decade under Pep Guardiola, have finished above United in each of the last 13 seasons.
And Anderson said: “For as long as I've known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester. City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the squad they have is amazing, so strong in every position. As soon as I knew they wanted me, I was absolutely determined to make this move happen.
“I think they’re winners, they’re relentless, and that's the sort of team I want to be a part of - champions and people who win trophies. Over the last 10, 12 years, they've dominated, so that's why I wanted to join.
“As a footballer, you want to test yourself at the highest level. Being at City means I have that opportunity.
“From the outside looking in, City are a club that treats its players well and provides the perfect environment to excel. The success they have had and the way they have played the game in the last 10 to 15 years has been extraordinary.”
Anderson described himself as an all-round midfielder and revealed he has been inspired by Kevin De Bruyne, one of City’s greatest ever players.
He added: “I think I bring a bit of everything. I bring quality, I bring physicality, energy. I'd like to think I'd get them excited, get them off their feet and bring energy to the team. Kevin de Bruyne is someone who I've hugely looked up to over the past seven or eight years.”
Anderson helped England finish third in the World Cup, starting each of their first seven games in the tournament.
And City director of football Hugo Viana added: “Elliot is one of the outstanding young midfield talents in world football right now.
“He offers energy, outstanding work rate and an exceptional range of passing. His improvement in recent years has been really impressive and underlines his desire to be the best player he can be.
“At just 23, there is plenty of opportunity for development over the coming years and we feel he can become a complete midfielder.”
