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Milner leaves Magpies for Villa

29/08/2008

Unsettled Newcastle United midfielder James Milner has completed a permanent move to Aston Villa, just days after it was confirmed he had handed in a transfer request.

The 22-year-old winger, who is a former England under-21 international, has signed a four-year contract at Villa Park after passing a medical this morning and moves for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £9 million.

It was revealed by the St James' Park club on Wednesday that Milner had handed in a transfer request the previous week, although Newcastle United claimed they had yet to receive an offer to match their valuation of the player.

Nevertheless, it has taken less than 48 hours since the initial announcement of his desire to leave for Milner to complete a move away from the north-east to join the Villans - who had the youngster on a season-long loan two years ago.

He told the club's official website: "A lot has happened at this club since I was last here and I'm obviously delighted to be back.

"I was so close a couple of years ago but now I'm back.

"We've got a new training ground and a lot of new faces - on the staff and in the playing squad.

"This is a club on the way up and things have got better and better every season since I was last here.

"It's an exciting time. This is a great place to be now. There's lots of young English talent."

Milner also admitted the lure of working for current Villa boss Martin O'Neill had been an important factor in his decision.

"Martin O'Neill was a massive pull and I was ready to sign for him two years ago," the player explained.

"He's got a great record and he's a fantastic manager. Look at the job he's done wherever he's been.

"Look at the squad he's built here. There are players in the England squad and players pushing to be involved. A lot of that's down to the manager."