Elano admits Manchester City answered his prayers as he struggled with life in Ukraine.

Elano said: "I moved to Ukraine purely for financial reasons. Coming to Europe offered me and my family too many economic advantages.

"But while I enjoyed the football part of being a player with Shakhtar Donetsk, I suffered a big culture shock going from Brazil to a place where the temperatures are sometimes as low as minus 23.

"I don't regret going to Ukraine because I needed to secure my family financially, but I still believe the move cost me my place at the last World Cup.

"By the end, I was praying to God every day for the right opportunity to come along - and Manchester City were the answer to my prayers."