Ante Palaversa joins Manchester City in £5.5m deal

Manchester City have completed the signing of Hajduk Split midfielder Ante Palaversa for a fee of around £5.5 million.

The Croatia under-19 captain will return to Hajduk for the rest of the season on loan as part of the deal.

"I have not yet shown all I can and hope to play for Hajduk to justify the great trust I have received from England's champions," Palaversa said.

"There is still a lot of work ahead of me."

Palaversa, 18, flew to Manchester on Wednesday for a medical and to agree terms before the deal was finally completed on transfer deadline day. Sources have told ESPN FC that he is viewed as a development player rather than a straight addition to Pep Guardiola's first team squad for next season.

A more experienced holding midfielder remains one of City's top targets for the summer transfer window, but with Fernandinho turning 34 in the summer, Palaversa will have the opportunity to push for a first team place in the future.

He caught the eye of City scouts after breaking into Hajduk's first team this season, making 17 appearances so far and scoring twice.