Belgium central defender Vincent Kompany Thursday moved to English side Manchester City from SV Hamburg for an undisclosed fee, the German club said.

Kompany, 22, joined Hamburg from Anderlecht for 10 million euros (14.8 million dollars) two years ago but has struggled with injuries and failed to live up to the club's expectations.

The player had last week reluctantly returned to Hamburg from the Olympics where he had been in the Belgium squad.

The Bundesliga club had insisted Kompany return for the start of the season. He came on as a substitute in last Friday's 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich.