Manchester City following manager Joe Royle's first close season signing yesterday.

City confirmed they had signed Norwegian Alf Inge Haaland from Leeds United for 2.5 million ($3.78 million). The 27-year-old midfielder agreed a five-year contract.

"We have got ourselves a great athlete and a team player who covers a number of roles,'' Royle told the official club web site www.mcfc.co.uk. "He can play in central defence, at full back or in midfield.'' Haaland joined Leeds from Nottingham Forest three years ago but struggled to win a regular place in David O'Leary's team last season.

"This is signal we have arrived in the big time and I expect there to be more signings in due course,'' said Royle.

Goater, top scorer in City's successful push for a place in the Premier League, is scheduled to start his annual junior clinic with fellow professional David Bascome on July 3.

PORT ROYAL STILL IN FRONT SLG Port Royal still in front Port Royal II maintained her grip on the top spot in the chase for the Coronation Cup following another consistent outing in fitted dinghy racing, this time at Mangrove Bay.

Despite Contest III , with skipper Martin Mello, emerging as the top point boat, Port Royal , captained by Willie White, managed to cling to a three quarter point lead -- 231 to 223 -- after six races in the series.

It was a day of contrasting fortunes for Victory IV , which sailed impeccably to win the opening race for the Gilbert Bowl, but failed miserably in the second outing, placing last.

Port Royal placed second in the opener followed by Challenger II , while Contest retired after colliding with the leeward mark while taking an ill-advised inside line in an attempt to overhaul Challenger .

Elizabeth likewise was forced to the sidelines when she broke a spreader.

The day's final event saw Contest win by a sizeable margin over Port Royal .

Elizabeth was third followed by Challenger and Victory .

Saturday's match racing turned into a fiasco, with just two boats attending, Victory and Challenger . Results were unavailable.