Glauber 2.0

City are delighted to announce that Brazilian left back Sylvinho has joined the club on a year-long contract.

The highly experienced, highly-rated 35-year-old international defender was released at the end of last season by the European Champions.

He has plenty of Premier League experience having made 55 appearances for Arsenal during a two-year stint at Highbury from 1999-2001.

Sylvinho, who will wear the number 16 shirt vacated by Kasper Schmeichel, is seen as the perfect complement to England left back Wayne Bridge.

Joking aside, the intention I'm sure is for Sylvinho to add more to the squad than Glauber's fleeting appearance in the final game of the season (duties as Robinho's wingman aside of course).

Mark Hughes commented:

"Sylvinho has a wealth of experience at the very top level, having represented Brazil and played for some of the very top clubs in Europe," declared the boss.

"When the chance presented itself to bring him to Manchester City as a free agent I saw it as representing excellent business for us. Sylvinho won the European Cup last season at Barcelona and he will strengthen our defensive options."

Now, 'strenghen our defensive options' doesn't offer him much hope that he has a chance to unseat Wayne Bridge as first choice, but given he was without a club, Sylvinho could have done far worse than latch one with ourselves for the 2009/10 season.

Where this leaves Garrido is a good question. Had Sylvinho signed a longer deal then it would have been a certainty that Garrido would have been saying 'adios'. A one year deal does not afford us that option as a long term one, unless Hughes feels Ryan McGivern has the ability to step up this time next year.

The signing hasn't met with universal approval out there, but there is more to the signing than a like for like comparison with Garrido. As Jack points out in his take on the signing, bringing in Sylvinho is part of a wider, bigger plan by Hughes.

Whilst not necessarily fitting the profile of Hughes' other captures, Sylvinho will bring a winning mentality. Champions League and La Liga winner as recently as last season, it is this pedigree that Sylvinho will bring.

If the likes of Ireland and Richards, even Barry and Wright-Phillips can take something from what Sylvinho can offer, even if it is just for one season, it may well turn out to be a shrew investment.