The capture of the Brazil forward, on a four-year contract for a fee understood to be a British record £32million, was a major surprise as Chelsea were the Premier League club intent on signing the player from Real Madrid.

And Hughes believes once the initial shock of the transfer has subsided the Robinho effect will have a positive influence on his players.

"He brings a breadth of quality into the squad," the City manager told Setanta Sports News.

"If you can add the quality of the likes of Robinho then immediately the whole team has a lift, a positive lift.

"That can help lift performances right through the squad. Irrespective of how we play him he'll have an impact."

The Robinho transfer was made possible by the takeover of the club by the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment earlier on Monday, who immediately made a statement of intent.

First they had a £30million bid for Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov - a long-term target of City's arch-rivals United - accepted.

There was also talk of bringing in some of Europe's biggest stars in the final few hours of transfer deadline day but Robinho was not one of the names being linked with the club.

It became apparent late on Monday night that Berbatov was destined for United but City still pulled off their own transfer coup by luring the unhappy 24-year-old Robinho from the Bernabeu.

Hughes believes the new cash injection available from the Abu Dhabi group will see the club elevated to a new level in world football.

"It's a fantastic time for everybody connected with Manchester City," said Hughes

"It's just the start of the things we're trying to make happen."

The City manager added: "It's a huge statement of intent. A lot of credit has got to go to Dr Thaksin (Shinawatra, the club's current chairman and owner) for being able to bring the Abu Dhabi company to the table and this huge investment that is going to go forward.

"They wanted to present something to the people of Manchester and they have been able to do that.

"If we're going to get to the places we want to get to we are going to have to compete against outstanding teams.

"We have to attract world-class players and that is what we have done.

"He is an exceptional talent and opposition teams are going to fear him."