Richards seals loan switch to Fiorentina

The long-serving 26-year-old has been linked with a switch away from the Etihad Stadium throughout the transfer window after the arrival of Bacary Sagna pushed him further down City's defensive pecking order.

And Richards, capped 13 times by England, will now ply his trade in Italy for the 2014-15 campaign.

A statement released on City's official website read: "Everyone at MCFC wishes him the very best for the coming campaign."

Richards made his City debut in 2005 having come through the club's academy.

He has made a total of 245 appearances for the Premier League champions.