Lazio have officially completed the signing of Manchester City defender Javier Garrido. The Citizens have confirmed the transfer on their official website.

“Garrido is a Lazio player. He was our first choice to replace Kolarov,” the Serie A club’s president, Claudio Lotito, said today.

The 25-year-old had been linked with a move to the Serie A side following the Eastlands arrival of former Lazio full-back Aleksander Kolarov, who he has effectively swapped clubs with.

Garrido was signed for City by Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2007, costing £1.5m from Real Sociedad. He found first-team opportunities limited even before Kolarov’s arrival but will expect to start at Lazio as the Rome club bid to avoid another disappointing season.

City boss Roberto Mancini confirmed earlier this month that he is looking for two players for every position, and with Wayne Bridge and now Kolarov in his squad, Garrido was not a certainty to make the Italian’s 25-man list for the Premier League season

Lazio had been looking for a left-back since the departure of Kolarov and club president Claudio Lotito says Garrido was always there first choice to replace the Serbia international.