New Manchester City signing Joao Cancelo admits Bernardo Silva had a big say on his choice.

The Portuguese duo were team-mates at Benfica, where they progressed through the academy together to make their senior debuts in the same season and have remained close ever since.

“We've spoken about it a few times, not regularly but occasionally," he revealed to City's website.

“He told me that it is an amazing club and the atmosphere is great. That's also one of the reasons why I've decided to come."

Cancelo and Bernardo's careers have shared a certain symmetry since they left the Stadium of Light, having both established themselves amongst Europe's best in their respective positions and the 25-year-old has welcomed the opportunity to play alongside the midfielder again.

“He is a player I admire a lot," he added.

“If I remember rightly, Bernardo and I played in the same team for around eight years.

“We were together at Benfica, so we were together for a while. It will help me and I'm very excited to play with him."