Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy has revealed he's been following new teammate Carlos Tevez since he burst onto the scene with Boca Juniors.

He was so impressed he asked his old Newcastle team-mate Nobby Solano to get him an Argentine shirt with "11 Tevez" on it during a visit to South America.

The shirt is on Bellamy's wall at home - but he now wants the City one off Tevez's back.

Bellamy said: "I watched Carlos when he was at Boca Juniors as a kid. When he was about 20, Nobby got me his shirt. I also watched him when he was at Corinthians and for an Argentinian to win the Brazilian Player of the Year award tells you everything.

"With a guy like him in your team you've got 12 men. He's exceptional and just the sort of signing we need. He knows all about the shirt at home. I'm not really into getting him to sign it. Maybe I'll get my little boy to ask him to do it for me!

"I know I'm always going to be the first name who is going to be shown the door every time we sign someone - but that ain't going to happen. I'm 30 now and this is my last opportunity to be part of a special club.

"I'm concentrating on staying fit. If I'm fit, I can challenge. If I'm not fit, I can't. I've won the odd Scottish Cup with Celtic but this is my big chance to do something special.

"I want to make sure that if I step off the bench I can make a contribution."