Elliot Anderson has wasted no time making his allegiances clear — the England midfielder declared Manchester City the "kings of Manchester" after completing a £116m switch from Nottingham Forest, a move that also saw him snub interest from arch-rivals Manchester United.

The 23-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, with the option of an additional 12 months. The transfer was agreed earlier this month but formally concluded this week following Anderson's return from the FIFA World Cup, where he helped England claim a third-place finish.

"I can't wait to play for this club," Anderson said. "It's a club built to win trophies and compete at the very top of the game. That is exciting for any footballer. I think they're winners, they're relentless, and that's the sort of team I want to be a part of. Over the last 10, 12 years, they've dominated, so that's why I wanted to join."

Derby day motivation

Anderson is already eyeing the first Manchester derby of the season, with Manchester City set to travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on September 13.

"It's one of the biggest derbies in the world and for as long as I've known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester," he said. "It'll be a great fixture, and I can't wait to be involved in something like that."

From Newcastle to the top of English football

Anderson came through the academy at Newcastle United and made 55 senior appearances for his boyhood club, including a memorable loan spell at Bristol Rovers — where he earned the nickname 'Geordie Maradona'. He moved to Nottingham Forest for £35m two years ago, going on to make 92 appearances for the Reds before earning his first England call-up and cementing himself as a key figure in Thomas Tuchel's squad.

"I'm only 23, so I've got plenty of time to get to my best levels," Anderson said. "I'm definitely not there yet and there's more to come from me. I think I bring a bit of everything — quality, physicality, energy. I'd like to think I'd get the fans excited, get them off their feet and bring energy to the team."

Growing up in awe of De Bruyne

The move carries personal significance for Anderson, who spent his formative years idolising former Manchester City great Kevin De Bruyne.

"I think Kevin De Bruyne is someone who I've hugely looked up to over the past seven or eight years," he said. "I've always wanted to play like him. I've watched him all the time and to be sat here in the team that he was doing it for is so special."

Anderson will enjoy a brief summer break before linking up with manager Enzo Maresca's squad for pre-season training next month. Manchester City's director of football Hugo Viana backed the signing, saying: "Elliot is one of the outstanding young midfield talents in world football. We feel he can become a complete midfielder."