Jun 2, 2009

Barry completes £12m move to Manchester City

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Gareth Barry has complered his surprise move from Aston Villa to Manchester City for a fee of £12m.

The 28-year-old England international was heavily linked with a move to Premier League rivals Liverpool last summer but the Reds were unwilling to meet Villa's asking price of £18m.

He has signed a five-year contract at Eastlands after 12 years and more than 400 games for Villa.

It is thought Barry will be paid £80,000-a-week at City.

Barry had been offered a lucrative new deal to keep him at Villa Park while manager Martin O'Neill and Villa owner Randy Learner had both said they would be willing to run down the 28-year-old's existing contract if it meant keeping him for another season.

Barry has previously expressed his desire to join a club in the Champions League but City finished six places and 22 points behind this season's top four, all of whom qualified for Europe's top club competition.

City did not even qualify for next season's revamped Europa League with Everton, Villa and Fulham claiming the three places for English clubs.

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