The $8.25 million transfer from Italian Serie A club Palermo to the Premiership side was finalised overnight, and takes Man City's close season spending past the $100 million mark.

Melbourne-born Bresciano, 27, has been playing in Italy for eight years since leaving Carlton FC in 1999. He joined Palermo last season after four years with Parma and three with Empoli.

He was first noticed by Eriksson when the Swede was in charge at Lazio - and brought him in at City as soon as he could.

Last night Bresciano admitted he'd made the move to revive his love for the game, and not just the big money on offer in the Premiership.

“I want this move to freshen me up a bit - I need a new challenge," he told SBS. "I was beginning to lose a little bit of my edge in Italy. It was time for a change.

“If I’m honest I’d lost a bit of my excitement for Serie A and I needed to get that back.

"City are ambitious - they have spent big and they are going places. I'm genuinely excited to be a part of it all."