ROQUE Santa Cruz has admitted a reunion with former Rovers boss Mark Hughes was a key factor in his move to Manchester City.

The Paraguayan signed a four year deal at Eastlands earlier this evening, with Rovers believed to be getting up to £18million for him, and immediately hailed his new manager.

After passing a stringent medical, Santa Cruz revealed the Hughes factor, as well as his ambition and the City fans all played a role in his decision.

He said: "I'm very happy to have signed for City - it's been close to happening for a while, and now I can just focus on football and concentrate on doing my best for the club.

"I know the kind of football Mark Hughes wants to play and the kind of character he is - he's a winner, he wants to make things happen and be successful. Those are always my thoughts as well, so knowing what he wants was a big factor in coming here, because I know the club is going in the right direction.

"I know his staff and the kind of jobs" target="_blank">training they will have the team doing, so everything was very attractive for me.

"The owners want the club to be more successful - they want to break into the top four, and the fact that the fans are so passionate about everything to do with City was also a factor.

"I am very motivated to play for these fans.

"I spoke to the Chairman and I know his ambitions are known to everybody at the club - he made sure that I know as well.

"It was a good conversation. He wants the best for the club and to give something back to the fans."