(Not so) free Willy! Caballero joins City for £6m

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

After releasing second-choice custodian Costel Pantilimon - who has since joined Sunderland - at the end of last season, the reigning English Premier League champions have splashed the cash to land the Argentinean shot-stopper.

Reports from the UK have mooted a fee in the region of £6 million ($12.8m).

While he arrives at the Etihad Stadium to provide competition for Joe Hart, Caballero warned his new colleague that he will be trying to take his place in Manuel Pellegrini's starting XI.

Speaking to mcfc.co.uk, the 32-year-old said: "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."

Working relationship

Caballero is no stranger when it comes to working with Pellegrini who, as Malaga coach, signed the goalkeeper from Elche in 2011.

While he hasn't been capped by his country at senior level, Caballero was part of the Argentina Under-20 side that won the Fifa World Youth Championship in 2001.

He also won a gold medal with the Argentina U-23 side that played in the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Caballero becomes City's third acquisition of the summer after Bacary Sagna and Fernando.

Source: Manchester City official website, BBC, Mirror Online