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Manchester City have signed Chile midfielder David Pizarro on loan from Roma for the rest of the season.

City boss Roberto Mancini coached Pizarro, 32, at Inter Milan, and they won the Serie A title together in 2006.

He joined Roma in August 2006, making 142 appearances, but has been out of favour this campaign, featuring just seven times under manager Luis Enrique.

"He is a good midfielder, he has experience and I know him well," said Mancini. "I hope he can help us out."

Pizarro arrived in Italy from Santiago in 1998 and played for Udinese for five years before joining Inter.

He has won two Italian Cups and the Super Cup during his time at Roma.

Mancini had expressed concern about a lack of back-up options in midfield, and he is currently without the influential Yaya Toure, who is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Ivory Coast.