LONDON, July 14 (Reuters) - Manchester City completed the signing of Raheem Sterling from Liverpool on Tuesday, making the 20-year-old forward the most expensive English player in history.
City paid 49 million pounds ($76.4 million) for Sterling, according to media reports.
Sterling has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium and will fly out to join his new team mates, who are on a pre-season tour in Australia.
"Raheem Sterling is one of the best attacking players in world football, and I am very much looking forward to him joining our squad out in Australia later this week," City manager Manuel Pellegrini said on the club website (www.mcfc.com).
"He is a young player with outstanding ability, and I am sure the Manchester City fans will be very excited about seeing him in action for the team."
City did not confirm the transfer fee but said it was a record for the club.
Sterling endured an acrimonious end to his career at Liverpool after making 129 appearances and scoring 23 goals, but the club wished him well for the future in a statement on their website. ($1 = 0.6416 pounds)