 Toure says he turned down offers from abroad to stay in England
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New Manchester City signing Kolo Toure believes his team can challenge for the Premier League title next season.
The 28-year-old defender joined from Arsenal for a reported £16m and follows former Gunners team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor to Eastlands.
And Toure, who claims he knew about the move six months ago, says he would not have joined Mark Hughes's side if he did not think they can win the league.
"Yes, I believe so, that's why I am here," he told a news conference.
"The quality is big, there are fantastic players here.
"I will give everything I have to make the club one of the best in England."
Toure ended a seven-year spell with Arsenal by signing a four-year contract with City and admitted he was aware of their interest before Adebayor's switch earlier this month.
"I think before Adebayor we knew," he added. "There was some talk about coming here. It's from six months ago."
The Ivory Coast international, who is likely to play in the three-week African Cup of Nations in January 2010, also revealed that he had turned down offers from abroad to remain in England.
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When you love a woman and she gives you back the love, you are really happy, and that's what can see at City
Kolo Toure
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"I was the last one in the 'Invincibles' team (the Arsenal side that went a season unbeaten in the league) and I was expecting to leave Arsenal.
"I think Arsenal are a really good team, but it was the right time for me to move.
"First I thought I did not want to leave England, even though other teams came in for me. But it was important not to leave for me and my family.
"Manchester City are a really good team and want to do something. I am really delighted to be here, the future is big."
He added: "They showed that they really want me and I'm wholly happy. When you love a woman and she gives you back the love, you are really happy, and that's what I can see at City.
"They have given me the love and I'm really delighted to bring them back the love.
"With Arsenal I was there seven years and when you play somewhere for seven years sometimes you need a change in your life. That's what I was thinking and then Man City came, and they are the right club for me as they have a full project on view."
As well as Toure and Adebayor, strikers Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz have arrived at Eastlands, while midfielder Gareth Barry joined from Aston Villa as Hughes looks to build a squad capable of qualifying for the Champions League.
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The manager has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his defence but has been thwarted in his efforts to sign Chelsea and England captain John Terry and Everton centre-back Joleon Lescott.
The signing of Toure is another coup for City but Hughes admits they have yet to finish their summer spending.
"We're absolutely delighted Kolo's here," Hughes said. "Until you actually work really closely with a player you have impressions from afar of the qualities they display for their clubs, but once you get close up it's reassuring everything you've seen in the past comes to fruition.
"He's showed that in the space of time over one session."
He added: "We're looking at players who will be at the same level to help us progress.
"We have a list of category A players of the type that will enable us to be successful in the future. John Terry was on that list and Kolo very much so.
"He's going to help us in a great way, his leadership qualities were evident this morning. He has the benefit of being at a top, top club. He understands the mentality you need, we've seen that already.
"We're progressing nicely. The business we've already done is exceptional.
"Obviously there's still a way to go in the transfer window and we'll look at opportunities and see what we can bring in. There are always deals to be made towards the end of the window that just present themselves and are right for the club at that time."
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