A fifth Israeli has joined the Premier League after Manchester City signed Gai Assulin on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Released by Barcelona last summer, Assulin agreed the deal after convincing City officials that he has returned to fitness following a knee injury.

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

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 joins Israel captain Yossi Benayoun, Tal Ben Haim, Dekel Keinan and Tamir Cohen in the Premier League.