CITY paid £154,410 in agents fees in the year up to the end of January.

New figures released by the Football Association show that eight League One clubs spent more on intermediaries during that period.

In total, the division’s 24 teams paid £5,559,679 – with Sunderland accounting for over half of that with an outlay of £2,873,033.

Barnsley, who were also relegated with them from the Championship, were the second highest spenders on £428,580 followed by Charlton with £205,095.

At the other end of the scale, Accrington – champions of last season’s League Two – accounted for just £4,815.