Brazilian defender Maicon has joined Manchester City on a permanent contract.

The right-back moves to the Blues from Inter Milan for an undisclosed fee.

Roberto Mancini is an admirer of the 31-year-old having worked with him for two seasons while in charge at Inter and the defender is familiar with the 3-5-2 formation the City boss has been experimenting with in pre-season.

The Brazil international, who can play in defence or further forward, spent the last six seasons at the Italian club making 235 appearances and scoring 20 goals.

He began his career at Cruziero in 2001 before moving to French side AS Monaco in June 2004.

Maicon was called up to the Brazilian national team in 2003 and has won 66 caps for his country.

One of his finer moments at international level was scoring a stunning goal against North Korea at 2010's World Cup. 

The defender will meet Blues manager Mancini and his new teammates when he returns from international duty next week.