Toure follows Adebayor to City

Manchester City returned to Premier League rivals Arsenal yesterday to sign Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure for an undisclosed fee.

Toure, 28, whose team mate Emmanuel Adebayor joined City earlier this month, has signed a four-year deal with Mark Hughes' side, the club said.

City are in the market for defenders after compiling an impressive forward line in the close season.

"It is no secret that we have been looking to strengthen our defence and in Kolo I feel we have recruited a world class player," said City manager Mark Hughes.

They have also had bids rejected for Everton defender Joleon Lescott and Chelsea and England captain John Terry.

The big-spending club have already signed striking trio Roque Santa Cruz of Paraguay from Blackburn Rovers, Argentina's Carlos Tevez and Togo international Adebayor.

England midfielder Gareth Barry has also joined from Aston Villa with the club having now spent over 90 million pounds.

Toure joined Arsenal from Ivorian club Asec Mimosas in February 2002 and won the FA Cup at the end of his first season in 2003.

Toure, who made 326 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, suffered a dip in form last season playing alongside Frenchman William Gallas and British media reported he had a transfer request rejected which he then later withdrew.