Manchester City have signed Israeli teenager Gai Assulin on a two and a half year contract.

Assulin, 19, was released by Barcelona last summer and penned a deal after convincing City officials that he has returned to fitness following a knee injury.

“I heard a lot about City,” said Assulin, “and as soon as I saw the club I wanted to stay.”

The attacking midfielder, dubbed the next Lionel Messi, holds the record as the youngest ever player to represent Israel at 16.

Assulin said: “I’m at a great club and hope to be here for a long time. I have to take my opportunity and learn every day in training. I hope to show I can play at this level.”

Assulin is now the fifth Israeli player in the Premier League, joining Yossi Benayoun (Chelsea), Tal Ben Haim (West Ham), Dekel Keinan (Blackpool) and Tamir Cohen (Bolton).