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Shorey moves to Villa and Young soon to follow

07/08/2008

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Reading full-back Nicky Shorey for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old England international has been linked with a number of clubs this summer, but he has decided to move to Villa Park on a three-year contract.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has moved quickly to find a replacement for Wilfred Bouma, who broke his ankle last week.

"Nicky is a quality natural left-back who played for England 18 months ago," said O'Neill.

"Obviously the injury to Freddie (Bouma) has left a gaping hole on the left. Freddie had a wonderful season for us last year and this wasn't necessarily a priority for us before the injury.

"But Nicky Shorey is more than a back-up. He's a quality player on the ball and is up for the challenge."

O'Neill also revealed the club have agreed a fee with Middlesbrough to sign right-back Luke Young. Villa have targeted Young to replace Olof Mellberg who left for Juventus earlier in the summer.

The Villa manager admitted his side had problems with the right-back position last season and described Young as a "natural" right-back.

Young only moved to the Riverside from Charlton last summer for £2.5 million, but he seems certain to be on the move again with Middlesbrough likely to make a profit from his sale.