Transfer Centre

Fernandinho: 'I gave up £4m to join Manchester City'

By Sam Hughes, Reporter | 18 August 2013

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho reveals that he took a cut in his earnings to join the club as he wanted to move to the Premier League and win more trophies.

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho has revealed that he took a cut on his earnings to seal a move to the Premier League.

The Brazilian made a £30m move to Manuel Pellegrini's side from Shakhtar Donetsk this summer and has admitted that he would have made more money in Ukraine.

Despite being happy at Shakhtar, the 28-year-old said that the challenge of joining City was too good to refuse, claiming that he wants to win every trophy in his time at the Etihad Stadium.

"Why should people be surprised by that?" Fernandinho told reporters of his loss in wages. "Maybe England should have more players who don't only think of money. If I only wanted money and a comfortable life from my career, I would have stayed in the Ukraine.

"I was in Donetsk for eight years and I was happy there. I won six titles, I knew everyone and I was a big part of the club. But I was presented with the challenge of coming to Manchester City. The owner and the people who are managing the team want to win titles and other trophies, and I wanted to be a part of that.

"I came here to win. Of course I will be paid as a professional footballer but the only thing I am greedy for is success. In my country, we say that football is like a huge plate of food - well, I want to eat everything because I want to win every trophy I can for Manchester City."

Fernandinho is in line to make his debut for City against Newcastle United on Monday night.