London  - Manchester City confirmed on Wednesday that they have completed the most protracted transfer of the summer by signing defender Joleon Lescott from Everton.

After weeks of often acrimonious negotiation, the England international joins for an initial 22million-pound (35.9million-dollar) fee.

He has signed a five-year contract worth 90,000 pounds a week.

Lescott passed a medical on Monday, but the deal was delayed by a disagreement over fees owed to his various representatives.

Everton manager David Moyes is believed to have targeted Portsmouth's Sylvain Distin as a possible replacement, although he has also attracted interest from Aston Villa and Sunderland. (dpa)