Rio Ferdinand explains why Mateo Kovacic is 'shrewd signing' for Man City from Chelsea

Rio Ferdinand believes Mateo Kovacic's capture is a 'shrewd signing' for Man City from Chelsea this summer and adds something new to Pep Guardiola's squad.

Kovacic has been the first and only signing made by City so far this summer. The 29-year-old Croatia international has put pen to paper on a four-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.

City moved to sign the midfielder as Chelsea have embarked on a sale of several first-team stars this summer in order to comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules after spending sprees over the past year. City signed Kovacic for an initial £25m, plus an extra £5m in add-ons as Kovacic entered the last year of his Stamford Bridge contract.

Kovacic has reinforced the options in central midfield for Guardiola's side. It was required following the departure of captain Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona after the expiration of his deal at City.

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Ferdinand has praised City for their capture of Kovacic this summer. He highlighted the transfer fee City paid, as well as the calibre of the midfielder and him offering something new and different to what Guardiola already has at his disposal.

Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: "Man City, Kovacic is a great signing. Obviously they've lost Gundogan, the captain, but I think Kovacic is a shrewd signing, at that price as well.

"I think he was £30m and in the current market, that's huge business, great business. He's full of experience, won the biggest trophies, and a different player to what they have got in that area.

"He can travel with the ball through the lines, so I think he's a good signing. I think they'll go again, City, somewhere else [in the