The 26-year-old has agreed a four-year contract with City after they settled on an undisclosed fee with Chelsea thought to be around £6m.
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.
Ben Haim admitted Hughes influenced his decision to opt for Eastlands.
“I think it’s a very good club and a famous club with a lot of ambition,” he said.
“I want to win things with this club and I know for many years that hasn’t happened. It’ll be hard and it takes time to build something.
“I know Mark Hughes matches my ambition. As a player he won nearly everything and of course he wants to do the same as a manager.
“He has ambition, the passion and the desire to do that and it matches my ambition because I am like that as well. I want to help City to be a better club and to win something.”
Ben Haim also said he turned down the advances of other clubs to sign on at City.
He said: “I spoke with my agent and even though we had some better offers I preferred to come here because I think it’s a good club with a lot of ambition. As I’ve said, we want to do better things here than over the last few years.
“There were a few other clubs, but after I spoke with the staff here and my family, I think it’s the right club to try to build something new.
“There were some from abroad as well, but I preferred to stay in England.
“I’m definitely going to give my best to City and give my heart in every game.
“I hope that we can do good things this season. I’m looking forward to starting the season here.”
To win a centre-back berth at Eastlands he will have to do battle with captain Richard Dunne, who signed a new contract, this summer, and England star Micah Richards, however the new recruit could fill a full-back role.
Hughes said: “With so many games to play this season it is important to get the balance right. “Last season the team was weakened when Micah Richards and Richard Dunne were not in it. We are trying to address that.” Tweet
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Tal is a good player but i'm a big Corluka fan
All sounds positive!
He`s a top player he`ll do well for you.
Looks like a good signing hopefully they'll be several more before august 31st.
Also realised that now we've got Ben Haim, Benjani and if we get Benayoun and one or two people have said we'll go for Benni McCarthy if we don't get Santa Cruz if this happens it's gonna be a nightmare on the training pitch.
I am trying to be upbeat and excited..........honest.
I actually know nothing about TAL Ben Haim although he must have been half decent for Chelski to sign him, so as far as I am concerned I am going with MH judgment on this one, a massive plus is that he has signed a player who has a wealth of premiership experience and he gives us much needed cover at the back.
I like what he says,me thinks Dunney might have problems getting his place back after his three game suspension if TBH does well.
I had better offers but i chose to come here.
Top bloke.
What do you think about Richards playing in central midfield alongside Johnson?
Is he gonna play left back or on the bench when everyone is fit? We also need a hardman in midfield and a right winger
I wonder if he's captain material?
Am I right in thinking that ben Haim can play left-back as well?
Shaun, At Your Desk
TBH will be doing very well if he can keep Dunne out of the side.
bluereed my voice only,
do you really think that ben haim will be captain material from the bench?
ben haim welcome,
but "i had other better offers" better then 50.000 a week? yeah right!
Anyone thought Hughes might go for 3 at the back? Hamman sat just in front, with Petrov left, someone on right?? Johnson & Elano in mid, and Jo and Boj or Benj up front?
i adree top bloke
Can't see Richards in the defensive midfield role myself,he doesn't have the guile or nous
and his distribution isn't good enough. Corluka would be better,but I'd prefer us to buy a ready made replacement for Hamman,I know easier said then done. I strongly believe that unless we do sort this position out,the team will only match what
Sven achieved(minus the UEFA cup) or worse. So if Yosser has bought TBH in to
cover Dunney's suspension and to put pressure on the back four,he must have a tough guy midfielder up his sleeve?
I wonder if Hughes will use Tal, Dunney and Vedran at centre back and move Richards to right back with Nedum. Vedran is a better centre back, Richards' errors won't hurt us as much as at centre back and his pace would be useful along the wing. Micah and Nedum can fight it out for right back, or we could use Micah in midfield.
Overall, I think Ben Haim is a good buy. He was solid for Chelsea and, more so at Bolton and he'll give us more to play with in defence... I just hope we've got the funds for a right-winger and someone in central midfield which is where we're most lacking.
Slot TBH in at LCB, alongside Dunney(c) with Micah at RB and all we need, still, is a LB. Taiwo would really complete a great back four.
Vedran is a great talent, however, until he is given a chance to establish himself at Holding midfield he hasn't realised his full potential. Micah at RB where he could bomb down the wing, in addition to his defensive duties, would also benefit from the shuffle.
I was a real Chiellini fan but Juve have signed him up for the foreseeable future. Taiwo looks as good as anything that is available, so fingers crossed.
I trust MH to finally improve the squad, but I wish he would get the crucial additions sooner rather later. We don't need Bellamy, or Benayoun but we do need a class LB and some midfield grit and muscle, and Milito to pair with JO.
Part Fantasy, part Fact X1:(3-5-2)
Hart;
Richards, Dunne(c), TBH;
Corluka,
Zabaleta, Johnson, Taiwo,
Elano;
Milito, Jo.
Subs: Kasper, Onouha, Garrido, Hamann, Ireland, Sturridge, Evans.
Here's some Tal stories showing how he feels about his move...
"I feel fantastic to be part of such an amazing club..."
"They amazing fans and I'm looking forward to starting..."
"I don't like to talk too much about myself but I can guarantee that I give 100 per cent for the club...I'm sure that everything will be okay".
It wasn't okay...all of that's what he said when he joined Chelsea....
Let's hope he shows a bit more inventiveness on the pitch....
3-2-3-2. This will do it for me to start.
Hart
Richards Dunne BenHaim
Corluka Johnson
NewGuy Elano Petrov
BonJ/BenJ Jo
So. Samaras replaced by Jo. Sun Jihai replaced by Ben Haim. Benayoun to replace Geovanni? RSC to replace Mpenza? Who's complaining that Hughes isn't strengthening the squad?
Says all the right things. Will he be available on Saturdays? Think the Roy Keane chant the scousers have made up is brill. Can't we get our thinking caps on for all our Ben's and our other players?