Kolo Toure wants to repay Manchester City's "love" by helping the club claim a place among the elite.

The 28-year-old Ivorian defender claims he already feels at home after signing a four-year contract following his switch from Arsenal for a reported fee of around £15million.

Toure said: "City showed they really wanted me. I always say when you love a woman and she gives back the love, you are really happy.

"That's what Manchester City have done ... given me the love. I am really delighted and I aim to give back the love as well.

"I was at Arsenal for seven years and sometimes you need a new challenge in your life."

Toure is City's sixth signing of the summer and follows his Arsenal team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor to Eastlands.

Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry and back-up goalkeeper Stuart Taylor have also checked in this summer at the Barclays Premier League big spenders.

Toure is convinced City can put the pressure on the traditional leading lights, including Arsenal.

He said: "We must try to make the top six or four - that would be fantastic. That is why I am here - and City have some fantastic players.

"We are going to work for it. The club is getting bigger and going the right way. It is going to be really difficult. We will need commitment and spirit."

Even though Toure has arrived, manager Mark Hughes has not ruled out a third bid for Everton's Joleon Lescott.

An £18million offer has been rejected and Hughes said: "We will wait and see. We have good central defenders here already and good competition. That's what we want.

"We are making no secret of the fact we want to continue to strengthen the team. We have looked at players we feel will help us and make us successful in the future."

Toure believes the time was right to move on but thanked manager Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal fans for their support.

He said: "I was the last one of the 'Invincible' team and I was expecting to leave. For me it was important to go at the right time when I am capable of doing a good job for another club.

"I did not want to leave England, and neither did my family, because I love the football. I am 28 and think I am in my prime.

"I will give my maximum for the club so that City are one of the best teams in England."

Hughes added: "Kolo has the benefit of being at a top club and understands the mentality you need to bring to the table.

"He has the experience and the knowledge of the Premier League we need. Even in his first training session today his quality shone through."

Meanwhile Hughes has explained the reason behind allowing Elano to join Galatasary for an undisclosed fee.

"It is a big year for him with the World Cup and he wants to stay in and around the Brazil squad," said the City boss.

"The guarantee of playing week-in, week-out, wasn't there and that was key to his decision to leave.

"It is a good deal for the club and a good deal for him."

Elano joined City two seasons ago when Sven-Goran Eriksson was in charge and quickly became a fans' favourite with a string of excellent displays.

However his form tailed off in the second half of his debut campaign and he struggled for consistency under Hughes.