Huckerby seals £2.5m Man City move

Out-of-favour Leeds United striker Darren Huckerby has joined Manchester City for £2.5 million. The 24-year-old agreed personal terms at Maine Road on Friday morning.

Coach Joe Royle pushed the four-and-a-half year deal through in time for the player to be available for the visit of Charlton. He is expected to start on the bench.

Huckerby started just 14 games and made 42 substitute appearances for Leeds – scoring six goals – after his £5 million arrival from Coventry in August 1999.

His exit was speeded up by the arrival of Robbie Keane on loan from Inter and the transfer came only 24 hours after City chairman David Bernstein pledged to bankroll the club's battle against relegation.

Only goal difference separates City from the drop zone and Bernstein said: "I want to assure the fans that we could not be more conscious of the need for Manchester City to stay in the Premiership – and not just for financial reasons.

"Everything that can be done to ensure we avoid finishing in the bottom three will be done."