Man City ace Richards delighted with Robinho signing

Richards is also hoping City will make more shock signing in the January transfer window.

“I was glued to the TV last Monday listening to all these bids we were making for world-class players,” he told the Sunday Mirror.

“In the end I fell asleep and just after midnight my best mate rang me and said, ‘We’ve signed Robinho.’

“I thought I was still dreaming and said, ‘Yeah, whatever.’ But then I turned the TV back on and there it was.

“I mean, he’s the kind of player you would usually only pick for City if you were playing a computer game.

“Hopefully it is a sign of things to come and City will be winning trophies and playing in the UEFA Champions League every year.

“If the things the new owner has said are true, this is City’s chance to grab football by the scruff of the neck – and I can’t wait.”