Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini completed the signing of Italian striker Mario Balotelli from Inter yesterday.

Balotelli agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League club after flying into Manchester for a medical earlier in the day.

The 20-year-old was a long-term transfer target for Mancini, who worked with the player during his spell in charge at Inter, and it is believed he has cost City around £24 million (€29 million).

He is City’s fifth big-money signing since the end of last season, taking their spending to over £100 million (€121 million) after the arrivals of Jerome Boateng, David Silva, Yaya Toure and Aleksandar Kolarov.

“I think that Mario is one of the best players of his age in Europe and I am very happy to be working with him again,” Mancini told City’s website.

“His style of play will suit the Premier League and City fans will enjoy watching him.”

Balotelli will not be available to play in today’s season opener at Tottenham, but Mancini is confident he has all the qualities needed to be a success.

“He is still so young there is a big chance for him to improve. He is a strong and exciting player,” Mancini added.

Balotelli, who has Ghanaian parents, had endured a stormy spell at Inter.

He fell out with former manager Jose Mourinho last season and was left out of the squad for a European tie against Chelsea.

He also angered fans of the European champions by allowing himself to be photographed in the shirt of their arch rivals Milan and was racially abused by Juventus fans during a match in 2009.