5. David Seaman
Phil Noble/PA Archive/Press Association ImagesAnother strange goalkeeping purchase was that of David Seaman in 2003. The legendary shot-stopper had just been released by Arsenal as his career started to wind down, and the Citizens took up the opportunity to sign the former England international. Following in the footsteps of Paul Dickov and Niall Quinn, Seaman became the third former Arsenal player to join City. But it didn't last long. With the veteran No.1 now 40, the wear and tear of a punishing and rigorous fixtures list was beginning to take its toll. Signed in the summer of 2003, Seaman announced his retirement from football in January 2004 whilst out of action due to injury. The goalkeeper had lasted just six months with the Citizens, in one of the shortest-lived transfers of the Premier League era. His was one of the earliest examples of Arsenal players defecting to the Citizens. Six more followed over the years, with Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy, Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Adebayor, Samir Nasri and Bacary Sagna also changing sides.