The central defender, 27, has signed a five-year contract at City of Manchester Stadium and manager Mark Hughes is overjoyed with the capture of his seventh new face of a busy summer.
“I am absolutely delighted to welcome Joleon to Manchester City. He is an England international who has proved his Premier League ability during his time at Everton,” said the Blues boss.
“In bringing Joleon to the Club I feel we have recruited a defender of the very highest quality. He can play in a number of defensive positions, and I’m positive he will make a significant impact for us.”
Lescott was born and bred in Birmingham but snapped up by Wolves, who gave him a senior debut at 17 against Sheffield Wednesday at Molineux in August 2000. Fans voted him young player of the year, an accolade they repeated the following season.
He helped Wolves reach the Premier League by beating Sheffield United 3-0 in the 2004 play-off final at Cardiff but sat out the next season after major knee surgery and they went back down.
He returned to fitness to claim the player of the year award and was transferred to Everton, making his Goodison debut in August 2006. Regular awards followed, particularly in 2007-08 when he weighed in with ten goals in all competitions.
Joleon has played an influential role in Everton’s impressive challenge under David Moyes, helping the team to the FA Cup Final in May as well as successive fifth-place finishes.
Lescott won caps at Under-18, Under-20, Under-21 and England B levels before being called up for the senior squad by Steve McClaren. He made his England debut as a substitute in a 3-0 win over Estonia in October 2007.
Lescott said: “I’m over the moon to get the move completed, and I’m looking forward to training with the lads as I’ve not trained for a few days.
I know some of the lads already - I’m close friends with Shaun, we’ve played against each other since we were 16 or 17. The way this club is moving on, I’m really looking forward to being a part of that.
...Joleon Lescott...
Lescott will be unveiled to the media at a City of Manchester Stadium conference at 11am tomorrow.
