Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne is still coming to grips with the club's new owners.

"It was fantastic," he said. "I was sitting at home watching it all unfold on television and saw it happening like everyone else. It was surreal. I was completely shocked. It's a really exciting time at the club.

"When I heard we'd signed Robinho, I just laughed. They seemed to be bidding for everybody and I just couldn't understand what was going on. At least they weren't signing defenders.

"It's great news and rather than allowing the big four to dominate, now we can compete in the transfer market. The more successful we get the bigger the players will come. Robinho is someone who will obviously bring a lot of skill to the club. He is the sort of player who strikes fear into opponents and will create extra space for other players.

"He is a signing of intent and shows what the club can do now in the transfer market and hopefully it is a sign of things to come.

"It is only one signing so I don't see things changing dramatically yet but since the new manager came in he has made some great signings and we were looking strong before Robinho came anyway but he shows what can be done. I am sure things will start to happen again in January.

"The club wants to be challenging for trophies and we are in the market for players like Robinho. The first game at home to Chelsea should be quite some atmosphere, especially with Shaun Wright-Phillips back as well.

"The manager said he was in control and the way things worked out. He's been proved right. He's starting to build a good squad and it's great that he's got that financial backing now."