ELL OF A START: 'Kings of Manchester' - Elliot Anderson taunts Man Utd as City unveil their new £116m signing of Nottingham Forest and England star

Elliot Anderson hasn't even kicked a ball in anger on behalf of the blue side of Manchester.

But the England superstar has guaranteed that most of the fury will belong to those on the red half, having pinned his colours well and truly to the Manchester City mast. Anderson snubbed Manchester United in favour of becoming City's most expensive signing in a £116m deal. And he's wasted no time in making it clear why he chose one neighbour over the other.

“I think they're winners. They're relentless - and that's the sort of team I want to be a part of," said Anderson. "Champions and people who win trophies. Over the last 10, 12 years, they've dominated, so that's why I wanted to join.

"For as long as I've known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester."

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Anderson’s comments will rile his new neighbours and echo the time when City taunted United with a giant ‘Welcome To Manchester’ poster depicting the face of Carlos Tevez, having lured the Argentine from Old Trafford in 2009.

United might have spent months attempting to land Anderson themselves, but the player insists Sir Jim Ratcliffe & Co were wasting their time.

Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson once labelled City the ‘noisy neighbours’. But City have gone on to dominate the landscape of English football in the last decade.

Anderson said: "Manchester City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the squad they have is amazing - so strong in every position. As soon as I knew they wanted me, I was absolutely determined to make this move happen. As a footballer, you want to test yourself at the highest level. Being at City means I have that opportunity.

"From the outside looking in, City are a club that treats its players well and provides the perfect environment to excel. The success they have had, and the way they have played the game in the last 10 to 15 years has been extraordinary. It’s a privilege to be given the chance to be part of that."

Anderson's rise to the top has been rapid and phenomenal. In the space of four seasons he has gone from being on-loan with Bristol Rovers to helping England reach a World Cup semi final, via becoming the most expensive footballer in Britain.

But taking the next step at club level is something Anderson is relishing, because he knows he has joined a machine made to be successful.

He said: "It's happened quite quick, but I think I always believed that I could get to this point - and this is where I want to be. Now that I'm here, I'll keep pushing and try to take this club forward.

"It's a club built to win trophies and compete at the very top of the game. That is exciting for any footballer. I'm so happy to have been given this opportunity, and I am determined to repay the faith City have shown in me."

Anderson, 23, grew up marvelling at the influence Kevin De Bruyne once had on City and English football. And he admits now finding himself on the same team De Bruyne used to grace with such distinction, feels like a dream come true.

He said: "I think Kevin De Bruyne is someone who I've hugely looked up to over the past seven or eight years.

"I've always grown up through the academy at Newcastle. 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."

Pep Guardiola might now be gone, but Anderson is relishing working under Enzo Maresca. Not to mention the chance to prove he is worth the nickname the 'Geordie Maradona', given to him by Rovers fans during his time in Bristol.

He added: "They started that and it sort of stuck everywhere I've been. It's a really good one.

"It makes me happy when I hear it on the pitch and yeah, it gives me real confidence.

"I think I bring a bit of everything. I bring quality, I bring physicality, energy. I'd like to think I'd get them (City fans) excited, get them off their feet and bring energy to the team."