The 28-year-old was named in the starting line-up for the opening pre-season tour fixture against SuperSport United in South Africa and, despite the game ending in a 2-0 loss, he was grateful for the opportunity. 

"I've been looking forward to my debut for the last month, it felt like the first day at school," he told the club's official website. 

"Being able to play in such a big team is very exciting. It is a special moment to play for your new club for the first time, especially for a club like City.

“It felt like a great honour to play with such big names and fantastic players.

“I don’t feel 100 per cent fit yet but I have two weeks of pre-season now to train, then hopefully I will feel top quality.”

The Brazil international joined the club last month from Shakhtar Donetsk after spending eight years in the Ukrainian Premier League, becoming the first signing for new City manager Manuel Pellegrini, and has insisted the team are fully behind the Chilean.

“Although Manuel is new the players are already getting used to his style on and off the pitch,” he added. 

“I am enjoying working with him, but I think it will always take more time for the players and the manager to get used to each other fully."

City's next fixture on their tour will see them take on AmaZulu FC on Thursday.