Manchester City midfielder Gelson Fernandes has signed for St Etienne for an undisclosed fee.

The Switzerland midfielder found himself on the fringes last season after manager Mark Hughes arrived from Blackburn.

Fernandes moved to City from FC Sion in July 2007 and made his debut in the Carling Cup win over Bristol City a month later.

He made 59 appearances, scoring four times, but he was increasingly used as a substitute.

The French side are coached by former Portsmouth manager Alain Perrin.