City to welcome out-of-contract Sagna

Manchester City FC have announced that France full-back Bacary Sagna will join them after the FIFA World Cup finals, having agreed a three-year deal.

The 31-year-old's contract with Arsenal FC expires on 30 June when he will move to the English champions as a free agent. Sagna arrived at Arsenal from AJ Auxerre in 2007, the 41-times capped international scoring four goals in 213 Premier League games with the Gunners. His last season in north London brought him his first trophy, Arsenal beating Hull City AFC 3-2 after extra time in the FA Cup final.

After that match, Sagna posted an emotional farewell to the club's fans on social media. "To be fair, I don't even know where to start or even how to say it ... but i just want to thank the whole Arsenal FC ... a family to me, a club who taught me so much in seven years," he wrote. "I want to thank the whole staff working at the club, the fans for accepting me so fast – making it smooth for myself and my family – my team-mates who I consider my true friends today and I had great pleasure learning with."

Sagna has been given the vacant No3 shirt at City, who start their UEFA Champions League campaign in the group stage, while Arsenal kick off in the play-offs.