Manchester City capture Barry from Villa
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
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Manchester City FC have signed England midfielder Gareth Barry for a €13.9m fee on a five-year contract from Aston Villa FC, a club for who he made more than 400 appearances after joining as a trainee in 1997.
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Manchester City FC have signed England midfielder Gareth Barry from Aston Villa FC for €13.9m.
Five-year contract
Barry, 28, has signed a five-year contract after leaving the club he joined as a trainee from Brighton and Hove Albion FC in 1997. Since then Barry has stepped up from his initial defensive role and made more than 400 appearances for Villa, as well as gaining 29 England caps, which he could add to in next week's FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Kazakhstan and at home to Andorra.
'Absolutely delighted'
City manager Mark Hughes told the club's official website: "Gareth is widely acknowledged as one of the top midfielders in the Premier League, and that is a recommendation in itself. When players of his quality become available then you have to be in the market for them, so we are absolutely delighted that we have been able to conclude this deal." Unlike UEFA Europa League contenders Villa, City will not play in European competition nest season.