Keegan delighted at Van Buyten's arrival

Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan believes the arrival of Belgian international defender Daniel van Buyten will bolster the club's struggling defence.

The Premiership side signed the 25-year-old stopper on a six-month loan at the weekend with a view to a permanent move.

They also paid a reported three million euros (3.7 million dollars) to the French club as part of a deal which saw French defender David Sommeil make the reverse trip.

"I just think that given our current situation with the way we are playing and the goals that we are conceding we need a fresh face in there," Keegan told Manchester City's website.

"Daniel moved to Marseille from Standard Liege in for 11 million euros, that is a huge fee for a defender and I believe now that the Premiership will suit him."

The powerfully built Van Buyten joined Marseille from Standard Liege in 2001 and was the club's top scorer last year with eight goals, before falling out of favour with new Marseille coach Jose Anigo this season.

The Belgian was a transfer target of Manchester United last year, but Marseille refused to sell at that point and slapped a 22.5 million euro price tag on him.

Sommeil, who had been a key element in Keegan's defence since joining from Bordeaux in January 2003, moved to Marseille until the end of the season and could convert his loan into a permanent stay if he impresses in the French league though Keegan insists his qualities could still be useful to his team next season.

"David Sommeil had several good seasons with Bordeaux and moving back to Marseille is a big move for him," Keegan added.

"David has been very good while he has been here and it wouldn't be a problem if he came back here at the end of the season."