The 26-year-old has agreed a four-year contract with City after the two Barclays Premier League clubs settled on an undisclosed fee.
It is the Israel international’s second transfer in 13 months after he moved to Stamford Bridge on a free transfer from Bolton in June 2007.
The transfer is subject to the former Maccabi Tel Aviv player gaining a work permit although that will be a formality given his regular appearances for Israel - which included two matches against England during qualifying for Euro 2008.
Ben Haim is the second new arrival at City since the appointment of manager Mark Hughes at the start of last month.
It is thought he cost around a third of the £18million paid to CSKA Moscow for the services of promising Brazilian striker Jo.
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I'm pleased with this signing, he's a good player, and one that Hughes knows well.
I for one am happy about this signing and hope it may well lead to Micah playing at rb.
I said in an earlier post I can hardly remember this guy playing, now speaking to Chelsea season ticket holders where I work they don't rate this guy at all.
Guess he is in as cover, which is fair enough.
Rumours picking up that Santa Cruz may well pick City, which would be interesting. jo and santa could be good!
Good signing, all that competition for places stuff. Think it could be the end for Ned though. I had high hopes for him but he desn't have the quality to compete with Ben Haim, Dunne, Richards, Corluka at centre half or right back.
Interested with what Sparky does with mid-field. Could put Corluka there. However, I imagined him playing at centre half, sweeping up next to a big stopper. I may bea bit of a purist though!
Welcome Tal. Im sure he will be a solid and reliable signing unlike so many others have not been during the recent years. CTID.
I hope this is in addition to to our current crop of defenders and not as a replacment for the likes of Ned who I think is terrifc CH - can get caught out at RB but that can be remedied.
Why does Hughes know him so well Rick?
What will our first choice defence be? - now that's an interesting question.
Does anyone know if this fella is two footed,for the life of me i can't remember?
And Corradi has just signed for Reggina according to the official site!
I'm hoping this will free Micah up to play alongside Michael Johnson in a 4-2-3-1 set up - ie RB Corluka, CB Ben Haim & Dunne, LB Ball (until we buy a better one), DM Micah & Johnson, LM Petrov, CM Elano, RM Bojinov (until we buy a better one), CF Jo. Subs from - Hamann, Benjani, Evans, Fernandes, Ireland, Onuoha, Sturridge and Castillo.
This team looks solid, has bags of pace and should give Elano the perfect stage to conduct operations from...
A good deal done. Fair player, Fair price and undoubtedly a player that will strengthen the defence and add some iron & fire. Competition for places in the team is paramount and as the players have found out MCFC now have a manager and backroom team who will not suffer fools gladly and yes you lazy individulas you are going to have to earn your wages now! Well done Doctor you are at the top of my list again. Just need to kick the agents more and show them who is boss.
This is a clever buy and gives us extra options and cover in our defence!
Wonder if Roman s upset....??? He leaves Chelsea with NGE on his CV !!
A good signing. As Hughes said, when either Micah or Dunney were out last season our defence was considerably weakened. I still like Corluka at rightback as well and expect him to get plenty of games. But this gives us more options (including the possibility of Micah playing in midfield) and competition from a player with proven premiership pedigree.
Now for that right winger and left back.
I Think this is a decent signing for City and one that will get the job done Maybe now Micah will go RB and Corluka Holding Role but then again i would love to see Ever Bangera
for City well i will have to wait and see
blue62............I fully agree with your comment and just hope this sets the ball rolling for other signings soon.Ben Haim just been on SkySports saying there will probably some more players coming in, in the next few days. Micah for RB!
I hope he proves as good a buy as most of MH's purchases have in the past.
Ben, Welcome to Man City.
Now get Santa and Benajoun in.
Can't see him sitting on the bench. Goodbye Ball IMO.
It should be interesting to see whether it means Micah will be moved back to right back, or Ben Haim moving there.
I understand that Ben Haim has played left back but if he hasn't played regularly in that position I wouldn't expect that will be his position.
City goal will be well guarded with the two big lumps sat in front of it!
Step two of six completed.Next a left back followed by right winger,goalkeeper and a creative midfielder. In any order please Mark.
Have we got a bid in for Kirk yet?
Hughes out!
Can someone clarify please: does he play right back, left-back, CB, or all three, and is he left-footed or right-footed? I'm reading some conflicting stuff. Yes I've seen him play, but I admit I wasn't really focused on him...
I was working on the assumption Hughes got him in to replace Ball as starter.
Micah is the best RB in the country and I hope this deal brings about this. Sparkys revolution has begun, we have to be patient.
If he can be used as LB and cover as CB then this is a great signing.
Then we can get rid of Ball. Villa, Hull, Stoke and Sunderland could all use him.