Given underwent a medical earlier today while his former side took on Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby.

The 32-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with City after making more than 450 appearances for Newcastle since joining them in 1997.

Given is the fourth City signing in the transfer window, joining Wayne Bridge, Craig Bellamy and Nigel de Jong at Eastlands.

Manager Mark Hughes told the club's website, www.mcfc.co.uk: "I have said for a long time that we need the experience of a keeper like Shay.

"I am delighted that we have been able to acquire such an accomplished keeper, and one so highly regarded by everyone in the Premier League.

"We are getting a very good keeper and the experience he has will help the two outstanding young keepers that we have here in Joe [Hart] and Kasper [Schmeichel].

"I am looking for them all to grow as a group and it's important that we have that influence of a senior keeper.

"I have had a good talk with him about where we expect to be in the future.

"From a football point of view, and a club point of view, it's an easy thing to sell because we know we are going in the right direction. Players want to be part of that."

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear revealed the club did all they could to persuade Given to stay on Tyneside.

Kinnear admitted his disappointment at losing a goalkeeper he believes is the best in the Barclays Premier League, and one who was offered an extended deal to remain at the club.

He said: "I'm really sorry to see Shay go. He's been a fantastic professional and a great lad to work with.

"We bent over backwards to try and keep him at Newcastle United and offered him a longer contract to stay at the club.

"He's been with Newcastle United for a long time and has been a great servant, but he felt the time was right to move on and so realistically, we had no choice but to reluctantly agree to allow him to make this move.

"I wish him and his family all the very best for the future."

Given, a £1.5million signing from Blackburn during the summer of 1997, made a total of 453 appearances for the Magpies, including an FA Cup final and Champions League and UEFA Cup football - the last of them in the 3-0 defeat at Blackburn on January 17.

However, he had earlier made it clear through solicitor Michael Kennedy that his patience had run out amid the chaos on and off the field which has characterised the club's recent past.