London - Manchester City completed the 12-million-pound (19.9 million dollars) signing of midfielder Gareth Barry from Aston Villa on Tuesday. The England international signed a five-year contract at City, ending 12 seasons at Villa Park.
Barry almost joined Liverpool last summer, only for the move to collapse in a dispute over the fee.
It had widely been expected he would join Rafa Benitez's side this year, but City manager Mark Hughes stepped in to make him the first arrival of what is expected to be an influx of new talent at Eastlands, bankrolled by the Abu Dhabi consortium that owns that club.
"Gareth is widely acknowledged as one of the top midfielders in the Premier League and that is a recommendation in itself," said Hughes.
"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.
"The experience required to compete with the best in the Premier League is vital.
"With Gareth we get the experience of someone who has played week-in, week-out in the hardest league in the world.
"He plays at a level that has an impact on the game and we are thrilled that he is joining us."
Barry himself, who is on duty with England ahead of Saturday's trip to Kazakhstan was delighted to have completed the move.
"It didn't take much persuasion from Mark Hughes, they are heading in the direction I want to go," he said.
"There is great potential here, and I'm sure there will be a few more additions to the squad this summer."
