Roque Santa Cruz's desire to join Manchester City was fuelled by listening to Blues fans talk about him on radio phone-ins.

The Paraguayan's £18million arrival at Eastlands may have been overshadowed by the on-going fuss over bids to sign Samuel Eto'o and Carlos Tevez but it represented the end of a 12-month pursuit by manager Mark Hughes.

Having spent just £3million on the South American to bring him to Blackburn from Bayern Munich two years ago, Hughes clearly knew what he was getting.

And after two attempts to secure a deal failed, Santa Cruz was at least lifted out of his gloom by knowing he was wanted at Eastlands.

"I know how passionate and excited the fans are," he said. "I heard it on the radio when the fans were ringing up talking about the possibility of me coming here. I always used to listen to the radio, initially to improve my English.

"It was very helpful to listen to things about football and it was interesting to hear what the fans said about the fact I might join City."