The England left-back completed his transfer from Chelsea, for a fee believed to be in the region of £10million, just before City's embarrassing FA Cup exit to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

That result, combined with the club's position in the Barclays Premier League just two points above the relegation zone, has increased the pressure on manager Mark Hughes.

But Bridge, 28, is looking forward to again joining Hughes - with whom he played at Southampton.

"I know him quite well, and when I spoke to him everything he said was positive. That's good to hear," he said.

"He was positive about me as well, and that's nice because it gives me confidence - so I hope I'll be showing that on the pitch.

"I'm very impressed with the vision of the club and where it wants to go.

"Obviously it's going to take time, but we're going to progress and keep doing so until we achieve big things."

Expectations were raised at Eastlands this season after the takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group, who bankrolled the British transfer record signing of Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5million.

Hughes has so far been unable to spend the cash of the newly-crowned "richest club in the world", and that has partly contributed to the team's poor performance in the first half of the season.

But now the transfer window has reopened the City boss is expected to be busy as he tries to bring in his own players to arrest the decline.

Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz, whom Hughes signed for Blackburn last season, West Ham midfielder Scott Parker and forward Craig Bellamy - known to Hughes during his time as Wales manager and Rovers boss - have all been linked to the club.

The signing of Bridge has strengthened one of the team's weak areas, and the player is anticipating more arrivals this month.

"There are some quality players here already, and I'm looking forward to playing alongside them," he added.

"There's a lot of talk of bringing more players in, so I'm looking forward to that too.

"Obviously, and most importantly, I want to show the fans here and everyone around that I can do well at Manchester City.

"I'd like to think I'm coming into my prime. I've got a good engine and a good left foot, so I'll be looking forward to showing that on the pitch."

City's executive chairman Garry Cook today reiterated that the club's owners have total faith in Hughes and he will be given time to build for the future.

Former boss Joe Royle is confident they will keep to their word and not sack Hughes.

"They are sensible people there and won't react that way, probably rightly so," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Mark had an honest team at Blackburn - he had a team he could rely on and knew what he could expect week in, week out.

"Quite honestly, at the moment he doesn't know what he has got there."