Manchester City have signed Paul Dickov on a two-year contract after the 33-year-old was released by Blackburn.

Dickov was at City between August 1996 and February 2002 and found the lure of returning to the club too good an offer to turn down.

"Blackburn offered me a great deal to stay - two years - and they were going into Europe," the ex-Scotland international told City's website.

"But I just felt the chance of coming back here was too big a pull for me."

He added: "It's fantastic for me. I never wanted to leave in the first place.

"I've a great love for this club, and I know players often say that and people may question that, but I genuinely have a big affection for Manchester City.

"I support the club myself, my kids are Junior Blues and it's a massive thing for me to come back. I can't stop smiling about it."

Source: BBC Sport