Aston Villa sign Milner on four-year deal
Aston Villa have won the race to sign Newcastle United winger James Milner after agreeing a four-year deal with the England Under 21 international.
 Milner spent time on loan at Villa in 2006.
Milner underwent a medical at Bodymoor Heath, and has made the move fromthe north-east for a fee believed to be in the region of £10million.
Evertonmade a late attempt to hijack the deal by matching Villa's offer, aftermissing out on Albert Riera and Shaun Wright-Phillips, but Villa Parkwas the 22-year-old's preferred destination.
O'Neill has beenkeen to land a right winger all summer, with central midfielder NigelReo-Coker currently filling the role on the right side of a diamondformation.
The Villa boss attempted to sign Milner two years agoin his first summer in charge, for around half of the price, afterMilner had enjoyed a successful loan spell during David O'Leary's reign- but Newcastle pulled the plug on the deal at the 11th hour.
Milner signed a new four-year contract last summer with the Magpies, but lastweek handed in a transfer request.
TheMagpies infuriated Milner's representatives when they made hisintentions public on Wednesday and the youngster will now line up withfellow U21 internationals Gabby Agbonlahor, Craig Gardner and CurtisDavies.
Milner becomes O'Neill's seventh signing of the summer and will further bolsterthe squad after they booked a place in the first round proper of the UEFA Cupfor the first time in seven years.
Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan insisted it was his decision to sell Milner.
'He'sa player, in an ideal world, you would not want to lose', he said. 'ButI just want to make it absolutely clear that at the end of the day, itwasmy decision to sell him.
'We got an offer that I feel was his value. We are all aware James has had adifficult time - he almost signed for them once before and was dragged back.
'But he has always behaved impeccably. He's a fantastic professional, andthere's no doubt about it, they've got an outstanding player and we have got tomove on.'
The player himself said: 'I enjoyed every minute at Newcastle. It was a fantastic club. Ienjoyed working with the manager and they are a great bunch of lads.
'But I knew offers had come in over the summer and the club had turned themdown and the valuation of me wasn't reflected in the deal I was on.
'Speaking to them, I felt it was the right thing to put in a transfer requestto show how I felt, seeing as they didn't think they were on the same wavelengthas me and they then made the decision to sell me.
'It was Newcastle's decision and now I am at Aston Villa. A new contract wasnever discussed. That was a source of frustration.'
Milner also paid tribute to Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan who wanted to keep holdof the services of the former Leeds player.
He said: 'He has been fantastic with me all the way through. I had a greatrelationship with him, learnt a lot and wish him every luck.
'We talked a few times and last night, once the fee had been agreed, he wishedme every luck in the world and that is it basically.
'Things change quickly in football. All I know is the offer has been acceptedand I'm a Villa player now and the Newcastle chapter is ended.' |
發表於 2008-8-30 08:30 AM
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