MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Manchester City have signed Mexico forward Nery Castillo on a one-year loan from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk, the English Premier League club confirmed on Tuesday.

Castillo, 23, will be eligible to play for City as soon as the next transfer window opens on January 1.

The forward has not settled in Ukraine and has played only four matches for Shakhtar since joining from Greece's Olympiacos in a 20-million-euro transfer before the start of this season.

City chief executive Alistair Mackintosh revealed that Castillo had paid a large chunk of the loan fee himself to ensure the move went ahead.

"Nery Castillo's desire to make this deal happen has been extraordinary," Mackintosh said.

"He has made a significant financial contribution in order to complete this move by paying most of the loan fee himself. This proves how much he wants to play for Manchester City in the Premier League.

"We are excited and delighted that another young established international has joined the football club."

Castillo will be joining a club currently sitting fourth in the Premier League having been turned around by new manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who unsuccessfully attempted to buy the Mexican before being outbid by Shakhtar.