Belgium striker Emile Mpenza has joined Manchester City on loan until the end of the season, the Premier League club said on their Web site (www.mcfc.co.uk) on Friday.

The 28-year-old has signed from Al Rayyan in Qatar but cannot make his debut at Preston North End in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday because he is awaiting international clearance.

Mpenza, who has scored 17 goals in 47 internationals, has also played for Schalke 04, Standard Liege and Hamburg SV.