New Manchester City defender Nathan Ake said he can't wait to get started at the club after completing his move from Bournemouth.
Ake has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad to bolster Pep Guardiola's defensive ranks, with City still in the market for a new centre-back.
Netherlands international Ake knows he faces a fight for a first-team spot at City, as he became the fifth recognised centre-back in the squad. Nevertheless, he took to Twitter to express his delight at signing, and included the shark emoji that symbolises the 'Shark Team' moniker established by Benjamin Mendy.
He wrote: "Very excited to join @mancity. Can’t wait to get started!"
And among the replies was Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk, who Ake will now go head to head with in the Premier League title race.
Ake and Van Dijk are international teammates for Holland, with Van Dijk and Matthijs De Ligt's form limiting Ake to just 11 senior caps.
Van Dijk wrote: "Happy for you bro!"
Ake will hope that his move to City, and therefore the Champions League, could help him in his bid to become a starter for his country.
Meanwhile, Ake's former Bournemouth teammate Steve Cook penned a classy tribute to Ake, writing: "Best of luck to @NathanAke an amazing player and even better person! If any player deserves this sort of transfer it’s him. It’s been a pleasure to play alongside you and now I’ll watch on with pride."
And Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake said: “Nathan has been an integral part of the club’s success in recent years and I cannot speak highly enough of him.
“Not only has he been outstanding on the pitch for us, but he has also been a fantastic servant and a model professional.
“Losing your best players is never easy but Nathan fully deserves this move and he leaves with our best wishes. We are delighted that this will give him the opportunity to showcase his talents at the very highest level."
