The 24-year-old this afternoon ended a summer of speculation by signing a four-year contract with City after Arsenal accepted an undisclosed offer believed to be around £24million.

Nasri was entering the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium and the Gunners reluctantly decided to cash in after the former Marseille player made clear his desire to leave.

Nasri posed for photographs at the Etihad Stadium after the move was confirmed and claims he has already been struck by an enthusiasm from City fans he did not see at Arsenal.

The France international told City TV: "I can see they are really passionate and it reminds me a little bit of Marseille.

"Arsenal have good fans but not that passionate since they moved from Highbury to the Emirates.

"I remember when we played against City, when we lost 3-0, the crowd was amazing.

"That is what I want. When you play football it is for a good atmosphere."

City appear to have spent most of the summer in pursuit of Nasri and the player himself is pleased his future is now settled.

He added: "It is a big relief, it was a long negotiation and discussion between the two clubs.

"Finally I am a City player and that is what I wanted since the start, so I am really happy.

"I was a little bit frustrated, I said to the manager I wanted to leave.

"I wanted to do the pre-season with Manchester so I could know a little bit more about my team-mates.

"It was frustrating but it is a new start and I am looking forward to doing it."

Nasri could now make his City debut in this Sunday's Barclays Premier League encounter at Tottenham.

He is City's fourth major signing of the summer transfer window following the club record £38million purchase of Sergio Aguero and the arrivals of defenders Stefan Savic and Gael Clichy.

Manager Roberto Mancini told City TV of his latest capture: "He's a fantastic player because he has technique, he has mentality.

"I knew him when he played for Marseille, I followed him when I was at Inter and we wanted to take him five years ago.

"But I think in the last three years in the Premier League he's improved a lot. Now I think he's a top player."

Champions Manchester United were also linked with Nasri but City always seemed the more likely destination.

Arsenal had been reluctant to part company with one of their prized assets - particularly so soon after losing former captain Cesc Fabregas - but Nasri's determination to leave appears to have forced their hand.

Nasri was withdrawn from the Arsenal squad for yesterday's Champions League qualifier against Udinese and instead allowed to travel to Manchester to discuss terms.

Playing in that game would have cup-tied him and therefore reduced his value.

Arsenal have at least made profit on the player they signed from his hometown Marseille for £15.8million in 2008.

His outstanding form last season, in which he scored 15 goals and was nominated for the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award, made him an attractive target for other clubs.

Yet despite his brilliance, it remains to be seen how Mancini will best deploy his latest acquisition in a side already brimming with exciting talent.

Mancini added: "He's a player maybe like David Silva but the difference from David is he can play also in the middle.

"Samir can play like a midfielder but he can play also near the striker because he has technique, he can score, he can assist."

When asked if Nasri and Spain playmaker Silva can play together, Mancini added: "Yes. They can play one left and one right.

"They are not wingers but David starts always like a winger and then goes in the middle, plays where the ball is, near the striker."

It might also not be the end of big-spending City's summer recruitment drive with Mancini recently saying he would like to make two or three signings before this month's transfer deadline.

The club are also conscious, however, of their obligations under UEFA's financial fair play rules and any moves would require careful consideration.