Manchester City have confirmed that Kolo Toure is moving to Eastlands on a four-year contract.
The 28-year-old defender arrives from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee following seven years with the north London club.
Toure passed a medical and then finalised the necessary paperwork.
Manager Mark Hughes told the club's official website: "I am delighted to welcome Kolo to Manchester City.
"It is no secret that we have been looking to strengthen our defence, and in Kolo I feel we have recruited a world-class player. He brings a wealth of Premier League experience."
The Welshman added: "Kolo has been a central figure in a very strong Arsenal team for many years.
"I have been an admirer of him for a long time. He is strong, quick, reads the game well and will be an influential figure in the dressing room."
Hughes turned to Toure after his efforts to bring in John Terry were rebuffed first by Chelsea, then by the player himself.
Toure struggled to find his best form last season after the African Cup of Nations.
He was shunted out to right-back when Bacary Sagna got injured and went on to make 26 starts in the league.
Toure, however, was recognised as Arsenal's most established centre-back and the only remaining regular from the 'Invincibles' side of 2003-04.
A utility player when he arrived in 2002, the Ivorian quickly blossomed into an top-class defender.
He won over manager Arsene Wenger with his strength, pace and his ability to break up the play.
Kolo Toure Factfile
1981: Born in Bouake, Ivory Coast, on March 19.
2000: April - Toure, a member of the renowned youth academy at ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan run by Jean-Marc Guillou, makes his full debut for Ivory Coast in a match against Rwanda.
2002: February - Toure comes to the attention of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and signs for the London club for £150,000 after a successful trial.
2002/2003: Makes his debut for the Gunners in the FA Community Shield against Liverpool. Used by Wenger in midfield or at right-back, Toure begins to establish himself in the team as Arsenal fail to defend their Premier League title but win the FA Cup. Scores his first goal in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
2003/2004: Forms a successful centre-back partnership with Sol Campbell as Arsenal go through the Premier League season unbeaten.
2004/2005: In and out of the team as he competes with Philippe Senderos and Pascal Cygan for a place alongside Campbell. Picks up another FA Cup winners medal.
2005/2006: Toure establishes himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world as Arsenal reach the Champions League final, where they lose to Barcelona, after keeping 10 consecutive clean sheets - a Champions League record. Scores the winning goal in the semi-final victory over Villarreal.
June - Makes his World Cup debut in Ivory Coast's 2-1 defeat by Argentina in Germany.
2006/2007: Signs a four-year deal in August 2006 and is handed the number five shirt that has been vacant since Martin Keown's departure. Another impressive season in a disappointing campaign. Captains Arsenal for the first time in a 6-3 victory over Liverpool in the Carling Cup quarter-finals and also leads out the team in the final against Chelsea.
2007/2008: Becomes the longest-serving member of the Arsenal squad following the departures of Jeremie Aliadiere, Thierry Henry, and Freddie Ljungberg. Season disrupted by the African Nations Cup and injury and gives away a decisive penalty in the Champions League quarter-final defeat by Liverpool.
2009: January - An unsettled Toure hands in a transfer request that is turned down. He later reverses his decision and commits to the Gunners until the summer at least.
July 28 - Wenger confirms Toure could leave the Emirates, with Manchester City reported to have bid £15million for the centre-back.
July 29 - Signs for City on a four-year deal.
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