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By Mark Elkington
MADRID, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Manchester City confirmed on Monday the signing of Real Madrid's unsettled Brazilian forward Robinho just minutes before the end of the transfer window.
The Premier League club said Robinho had signed a four-year contract with the fee believed to be a British record 32.5 million pounds. He had been expected to sign for Chelsea.
"I am absolutely delighted to get the opportunity to work with such an incredible talent like Robinho," City manager Mark Hughes told the club's website (www.mcfc.co.uk).
"It's been one hell of a day and a huge statement of intent from the club. It's a fantastic signing for us."
Earlier, Real Madrid's president Ramon Calderon confirmed that Robinho had been allowed to move.
"We have agreed to sell the player for human reasons, and for footballing reasons and for an important quantity of money," Calderon told Spanish television station VEO. "After consulting with the technical staff we have decided it was the best decision for the group and the club. The fact the player accepted the offer from City proves he isn't moving for sporting reasons.
"It's isn't Real's policy to sell players but we thought it was for the best."
Spanish media reported Real had agreed to sell the 24-year-old to City for 40 million euros ($58.64 million) after they topped Chelsea's last offer just before the deadline.
Robinho made it clear he wanted to leave just over a week ago, unhappy that the club had considered selling him to help finance their failed bid for Cristiano Ronaldo, and coach Bernd Schuster left him out of the squad for Real's last two matches.
The German had insisted he wanted the player to stay, especially after Real failed to land David Villa from Valencia and Santi Cazorla from Villarreal last week, saying he thought he could recover the player.
But Robinho burned his bridges with another appeal to the media to be allowed to leave on Sunday.
"Schuster thought until yesterday he could recover the player's morale but it wasn't to be. Robinho has been badly advised," Calderon added.
City's late coup to sign Robinho followed news earlier on Monday that the club had agreed to a takeover by Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment.
The club's owner, former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Abu Dhabi company.
"A period of due diligence for all parties, including the FA Premier League has now been entered," City said in a statement.
