The 32-year-old keeper completed his transfer on Sunday evening, and this morning he will begin work as a City player after nearly 12 years on Tyneside.
It will be new surroundings at the Carrington training ground and new team-mates for experienced international, but he is relishing prospect.
Shay says, “I was so excited last night that I couldn’t sleep. It will be like being a kid at a new school at training. I want to meet the lads, get to know my new surrounds and get down to work. I was delighted to get the move tied up because of the Uefa deadline last night. I didn’t want to be sat in stand if City are going to be picking up the Uefa Cup later this season.”
Given was 21 when he moved to Newcastle, the same age that Joe Hart is now and the new signing has some supportive words for both Joe and our other young keeper, Kasper Schmeichel.
“It will be a little bit strange meeting Joe today for both of us but I am here to work hard and try and help him and Kasper improve too,” Shay tells us.
“I know I have a lot of work to do myself but I have a lot of experience that I can pass on.
“I have played in a World Cup, in the Champions League and in Cup finals. They might not be all that happy to see me but I’d like to think that we can all work together and all improve together.
“I rate Joe highly he has done fantastically well this season but he is still very young in goalkeeping terms. They say keepers don’t reach their best until their 30s so I hope to peak soon! Joe is an exciting talent for England and for City.”
Despite the experience he has behind him, Shay is convinced that City will see the best of him, as he concludes: “I feel that the best years for me are also still ahead of me and I work ever so hard in training to keep improving. That will never change.”
