Shorey seals Villa switch

Left-back joins on three-year deal from Reading

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 8th August 2008

Reading full-back Nicky Shorey

Shorey: Villa move

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Aston Villa have completed the signing of Nicky Shorey from Reading on a three-year deal.

Shorey's future has been the subject of speculation since Reading were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season.

A number of top-flight clubs including Portsmouth were interested in bringing him in but Aston Villa have now won the chase for his signature.

Martin O'Neill stepped up his pursuit of the left-back after Wilfred Bouma was ruled out of the start of the season with an ankle injury.

Reading accepted an offer reported to be in the region of £3.5million earlier this week and Shorey then underwent a medical on Thursday.

The England international has now put pen-to-paper on a contract to become Villa's fourth signing of the summer.

"I'm delighted to be here. It's all come out of the blue a bit but it's a great challenge for me. This is a massive club and I'm really looking forward to it," Shorey told the club's official website.

"There were other clubs interested but this is such a big club. Obviously I talked to the manager and he's very positive and very ambitious. That's what I am - especially after last season. I want to get back into the Premier League and show people what I can do.

"So I'm just grateful for the opportunity to play for such a big club as Aston Villa. I think I can achieve everything I want in the game at a club like this.

"Villa are definitely going places. You can tell by the signings they're making and the people already at the club.

"The manager is talking very positively here and obviously the chairman's backing him up. So I want to be a part of that."

Middlesbrough right-back Luke Young is expected to follow Shorey into Villa in the next 24 hours.

Coca Cola Ch'ship 2008/09 Win Outright: Reading 9/1