Monday, 10th September, 2012
Maicon chose to sign for Manchester City ahead of Real Madrid, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, his agent has claimed.
The flying Brazilian full-back landed at the English champions on transfer deadline day, putting pen to paper on a two-year contract with the club.
At 31 years old and with only one year left on his deal at Italian giants Inter, Maicon had been linked with the exit door for almost the whole summer, but left it late to decide where to head for the next phase of his career.
In the end, the presence of Roberto Mancini at Manchester City was a key factor and one which caused Maicon to opt for the Citizens over other elite clubs, his agent has insisted.
"He opted for Manchester City after a lengthy review process", Roberto Calenda told Sky Sport Italia.
"This was out of all the clubs that were looking at a right-back, at Maicon, including Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho, to Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and other clubs.
"Maicon eventually chose City after a call from Roberto Mancini.
"Mancini was the coach when at Inter it all began for Maicon."
The Brazil international must now set about adapting to English football after a six-year spell in Italy with the Nerazzurri, during which time he picked up four Serie A titles, two Coppa Italias, one Champions League and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Before moving to Italy, Maicon’s only experience in European football came in France, with Monaco.
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