Hertha Berlin star Karim Rekik insists his side are getting a 'world class' centre back in Dedryck Boyata
The Belgian international is moving to Germany after his contract expired with the treble treble winners in the summer.
Rekik was a former colleague of Boyata at Manchester City as a youngster, with the pair of them failing to make an impact with the English champions.
But Boyata has come on from his spell in Manchester and is set to impress in the Bundesliga, according to Hertha defender Rekik.
He said: "Dedryck is a magnificent signing for us. He is now a world class defender.
"We were together at Manchester City. He's older than me so I always looked up to him. But he really helped me.
"It would be great if we could form a partnership together.
"He's quick and reads the game very well. He's done really well at Celtic since he left Manchester City and broken into the Belgium squad.
"I think he is a terrific signing for us and to get him for nothing is a very good piece of business by the club."