Shay Given, the first choice goalkeeper of the Republic of Ireland, became the fourth major signing of Manchester City in January on Sunday with a four-and-a-half year contract.

The 32-year-old, moving from Newcastle, had joined for an undisclosed fee after passing a medical on Sunday, according to the City's website.

"I have said for a long time that we need the experience of a keeper like Shay," City manager Mark Hughes told the Premier League club's website.

"I am delighted that we have been able to acquire such an accomplished keeper, and one is so highly regarded by everyone in the Premier League."

City, the big movers in the January transfer market thanks to a takeover by an Abu Dhabi-based group last year, have also signed Craig Bellamy from West Ham United, Wayne Bridge from Chelsea and Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong from Hamburg.

(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 2, 2009)