English powerhouse club, Manchester City, have signed Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia for €44.5 million, The Daily Mail has learned. The deal with the defender is for five years.

Manuel Pellegrini got his prized defender even if rivals Manchester United and Real Madrid were interested in the Argentine player. Manchester City announced the signing via Twitter.

In a report from MCFC, Pellegrini praised the player, saying, "Nicolas Otamendi was arguably the best defender in La Liga last season and so naturally I'm delighted to have added a player of his quality."

"He is an established international for one of the best nations in world football and I have no doubt that he has the right mentality to fit into a squad where he will find many familiar faces, including Eliaquim and Fernando who he played alongside in Portugal," Pellegrini added.

"As a footballer, Nicolas has all of the qualities to be a success in the Premier League — he's strong, he's excellent in the tackle and he's very good technically. I am sure he will become another Argentine player our fans will enjoy watching."

Otamendi joins other Argentine players in the squad including star striker Sergio Aguero, Martin Demichelis, Pablo Zabaleta, Willy Caballero and Bruno Zuculini. He will also be reunited with former FC Porto teammates, Eliaquim and Fernando. 

Otamendi said on MCFC, "I am here to give my best, to fight game by game and push City to the highest peaks for as long as possible, and I wish we will be able to win several cups and titles. That's the most important. To be here inside a club that looks so wonderful from the outside is a dream."

The defender spent only one season in Valencia after arriving from FC Porto last summer. He appeared in 25 league games and scored six goals. He helped Valencia finish fourth on the table, per a report from ESPNFC.

The 27-year-old defender was capped by Argentina 25 times and was a key member of the runner-up finish in the Copa America in July. Argentina lost to Chile in the finals. The transfer was agreed upon because Valencia still owed Manchester City money after the signing of striker Alvaro Negredo.

The Argentine defender is City's fifth summer signing. He joins Raheem Sterling, midfielder Fabian Delph as well as forwards Enes Unal and Patrick Roberts.

Otamendi has been given the No. 30 shirt. The arrival of the defender is vital for City's bid for another Premier League title as well as the Champions League.