City clinch Barry signing

England international signs five-year deal

Last updated: 2nd June 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

City clinch Barry signing

Barry: City new boy

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Manchester City have completed the signing of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa in a £12million deal.

Barry has penned a five-year contract at Eastlands after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.

The England international's future at Villa has been the subject of speculation for some time, with Liverpool failing to sign him last summer in a much-publicised tug-of-war with Villa.

Barry's contract at Villa was due to expire next summer and although Villa offered him a new deal, he has opted to make the move to ambitious City.

The 28-year-old becomes City's first signing of the summer and his arrival is a major boost for City boss Mark Hughes as he looks to build a side capable of breaking into the top four.

Barry was delighted to make the move to City and he believes there is a lot of potential at the club.

"I'm delighted to be joining City. It didn't take much persuasion from Mark Hughes, they are heading in the direction I want to go," Barry told the club's official website.

"There is great potential here, and I'm sure there will be a few more additions to the squad this summer."

Praise

Hughes is equally excited at the prospect of working with Barry next season.

"Gareth is widely acknowledged as one of the top midfielders in the Premier League, and that is a recommendation in itself," noted 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, and 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."

Comments (99)

Will Wolfe says...

Oh what fuss! Barry is overated, Villa got decent price for him! Man City are going nowhere with or without Hughes. Any side that really was serious about getting to CL would offload Robinhio and M Richards because of the bad vibes they create at City. Let City keep believing there going to top four, it won't happen. The top players won't go there, they may have all the money but NO CLASS. Spurs, Villa or Everton are more likely to break into top four, although to be fair its really a top three as Arsenal are just a bunch of show ponies now with no trophies!!

Posted 06:12 4th June 2009

Paul Gordon (Aston Villa fan) says...

A shrewd sale. Is it wise to sell a good player to your competition who finished above you in the league? Thats why Villa sold Barry to Man City and not Liverpool. If City do challenge the "top 4", and that remains to be seen, it will take them a few seasons to build a team capable of doing so. Villa had a promising season and with a couple of shrewd purchases they can equal or better last seasons achievements. Up the Villa!

Posted 04:36 4th June 2009

Ben Winter says...

City? Ambition? WHAT? 10th ey.. nice one! Maybe we'll see you in 9th next season.. but i doubt it. There must be some serious problems in the city camp if most your young talent is leaving and your star players go awol mid season. Hughes had better sign some big name money grabbers quick to show your 'direction' and hide the fact city have become a mickey mouse club... oh wait. he is. Seriously though good luck city, you'll need it. UP THE VILLA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 02:00 4th June 2009

Steve Mallon (Aston Villa fan) says...

To all the Man City fans who have been telling us to wake up and smell the coffee! How much did you spend last year? So quiet for so long and now you have got GB you are world beaters ha ha roll on next season! wait until they rename your stadium Abu Dabi Carpet Palace!

Posted 22:10 3rd June 2009

Dj Sandy (Manchester City fan) says...

Wake up and smell the coffee boys - City REALLY are the richest club in the world and their buying power will bring success in a way that only Villa and Liverpool fans can dream of. The attempt to bring Kaka was badly timed but the intent to spend £100m on one player should give some indication of the ambition. It was never going to happen overnight but within two seasons the shape of the so-called Top Four will change. Forever. Hughes will use his muscle wisely to buy the sort of quality and experience that Villa (and most others) simply cannot afford - the economic reality will ensure that Barry is, in the end, right. Not being in Europe this season will amount to very little in the long term and, in some ways, will be less of a distraction in a season where City will make their mark. Watch the quality of the City squad grow as the transfer window develops and as the loose ends of previous era's are finally trimmed and discarded. All these comments about 'small club' City is driven by two things: jealously and fear!

Posted 21:49 3rd June 2009

Dale Young (Everton fan) says...

Great move ? Well No European football next season for Mr Barry and IF they qualify next season he'll be touching 30 YEARS mmmmm.. There's ambition for you,I think he's just after money why Man City ? What happened to Liverpool surely a better chance to win honours and European football...Crazy but hey modern footballers

Posted 21:10 3rd June 2009

Alexander Deane (Manchester City fan) says...

Hold on a second; if it really was the challenge of playing in the CL which was the attraction, then surely the players playing for the European 4 would be doing so for lower wages. Why then, have the European 4 got higher wage bills than the other clubs in the Pl ? i think we all know this is hypocritical posturing from the objectors. I'm sorry for Villa, I'd support you if I lived in the Midlands and I hope you get your own sugar daddy with deep pockets because the cartel have cornered the money in football for too long. I'd love to see a level playing field but whilst these 4 control football it is never going to happen. The rest of football should be praying that we break up the cartel because, if we don't, then the rest of you can forget ever doing it and the English league will become even less of a competition than it is now.

Posted 21:01 3rd June 2009

Martin Adams (villa fan) says...

I just read GB's open letter to the fans on the Villa web site. He says he needed a new challenge and Mark Hughes sold the idea of playing for Man City to him. I wish him well and I will be watching City's progress with interest. As for getting into the top 4, this is a massive challenge for any team these days outside the 'big 4' as Villa found out. Now MON needs to get active in the market and find a replacement!

Posted 16:12 3rd June 2009

Nikki Williams says...

Gareth Barry left purely for money and if I was a Villa fan i would be really disappointed. He wont win anything at City because they're not good enough. They can't attract any big name players because they're not BIG enough they will only get players who play for money and not the club.

Posted 16:05 3rd June 2009

Gary Lilley (Manchester City fan) says...

it sounds to me as if l'pool fans are getting a bit twitchy about up-coming city. as for you villa fans wake up and smell the coffee you reached your peak last season you will never get higher than sixth which reflecks your attendances average club , average fans . welcome garreth sit back and enjoy the ride ! .

Posted 15:43 3rd June 2009

John Sneed (Manchester City fan) says...

I would just like to remind you all that Manchester city are the richest club in the world and soon to be the best! sorry to all you bitter Villa fans. Watch out top 4, there is a blue moon rising!!!!!!!!

Posted 15:05 3rd June 2009

Paul Jackson says...

Barry is a good player but he is going to kill his career moving to city just like vassel and he said he wants cl, he dont he wants money and he will never welcome to vila park again.....

Posted 14:08 3rd June 2009

Rob Chisholm (Aston Villa fan) says...

I'm relieved that it's happened early in the close season. I'm not too bothered that he's gone, because what cost us a top 4 finish more than anything else was the loss of the heartbeat of the team - Martin Laursen. Just check out the dip in results and how many goals we conceded after Laursen got the injury which has ended his career. Losing Barry will have no where near the same impact on the team. As long as MON uses that £12m and the rest of what Randy has already told him to spend wisely, mainly on a commanding centre half, an attacking midfielder and a regular goalscorer, then the Villa can give it another good go next year. Losing Ashley Young for any amount of money is what would have worried me most. Sidwell, Reo-Coker or Petrov are just as capable of passing the ball out left to Young. One last thing - exactly how good was Barry reckoned to be before MON arrived and how many England Caps did he have, and how many times had the likes of Liverpool come knocking on the door for him? You all know the answers. 4 years ago I was telling my son that Barry was a waste of space - half paced and one footed without a single creative idea in his head. Nothing has changed except for the players around him and the manager who has made him what is currently is. As a Villa fan of more than 40yrs I'm more than satisfied with the deal. Good luck City, but Villa are moving on without him.

Posted 13:41 3rd June 2009

S Das (Aston Villa fan) says...

I've been a fan of Villa since the 1994 Coca-Cola Cup final in 94 against Man Utd. Over the years I've seen some great players come in and go through Villa and might I say that Gareth Barry was a shame to see go away but after all the talks last season of CL football it's shocking to see him to go to Man City who don't have much chance of CL football for three years atleast!!! Good luck to him I understand the reasons for the move considering the economical climate but for a footie player thats nothing!! he should've waited for one of the top 4 to grab him!! Suppose its a gud thing seeing as we will break into the top four by 2012 atleast we just need a stong holding midfielder and a solid defender like the likes of Galas!!!

Posted 13:39 3rd June 2009

Paul Mccarthy (Aston Villa fan) says...

Well good luck Gareth you gave Villa good service, but lost a little respect from Villa fans, as you wanted CL FOOTBALL, but gone for money. Dont balme you, but Im afraid you won't get it at Man City!! They are a smaller club with ambition and finance, but not even in Europe, even if they buy all these players. Only Robinho is what you call 'Class' and even he has under achieved to some extent. Man City dont even own their own ground. So when their ownER decides to pack up shop which he will. They will go bust!!!! AVFC will try there upmost to achieve CL, but we need to win Eufa Cup and bring 2 central defenders and 20 goal season forward. AVFC bigger than you Barry. You will also lose your England place to Carrick!!!!

Posted 13:29 3rd June 2009

Oli . (Crystal Palace fan) says...

Thought he wanted CL football...!? City wont break into the top for with Hughes as manager. All Barry wanted is the £100,000 a week!! What is he 28/29!? No chance of CL football Barry... £12million bargain for city though!

Posted 12:40 3rd June 2009

Oliver Bell (Manchester City fan) says...

Villa, you had your best chance to break the top 4 and blew it by crumbling in the latter stages of the season. Don¿t blame Barry for wanting bigger things at a club who are on the up and offer the unique package of becoming a great side from scratch. Liverpool, while you were busy convincing yourselves ¿this is going to be your season¿ City snapped up one of your main targets. Walk on, your efforts to build a quality squad have already taken an almighty blow. Top 4, be warned ¿ We¿re going to be playing CL football in 3 seasons time, at someone¿s expense. City have the pulling power to attract the best players with the package we offer, and have the funds to afford them. Now the discussion can change from why did Barry move, to who will be playing in the 2011/2012 Europa League? Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Manu?

Posted 12:39 3rd June 2009

Paul Ireland (Liverpool fan) says...

Barry is a good football player but better than Xabi Alonso? I don't think so! Alonso is one of the most under-rated players in the premier league & i hope rafa sees that now after trying to flog him last summer. I would much rather he was in my team than playing against

Posted 12:35 3rd June 2009

Scott Smith (Burnley fan) says...

For all those people who are moaning at gareth barry for leaving a team for another where he is obviously going to get paid more money you are what i call hypocrites as i would say that 99% of people would jump ship straight away if they were offered more money to move to a different job where they were due to work less hours a week!!!! cum on the clarets!!!!!

Posted 12:33 3rd June 2009

Brian Fisher (Aston Villa fan) says...

I don't think that Villa fans have a problem with Man City, good luck to them. I would rather Barry go to Man City than Liverpool as they are already a strong outfit. MON was right not to sell him to Liverpool last season and he is right again to cash in on him now. MON reportedly told Barry he could go if we didn't qualify for CL and MON's word is more important to Villa that Barry's reason for leaving, whatever it really is. The problem is that football has changed, it has become all about the money, and like it or not it's not about to change again any time soon. Barry would have been offered a massive wage by Villa but he wanted more. As for the comments about 10 years good service, don't forget he has also had more pay in those 10 years then most of the people reading this will get in their lifetime. Villa fans will also note that he went missing for the season we nearly got relegated but we still stood by him. Good luck city I hope you do break into the top 4, the change will do the premiership some good, you are a well supported club and you fans followed you well when you were going through tough times. Come on Villa, we are a well run club with a superb chairman, manager and ground. The players will always come and go, just wipe your lip and support the lads who still wear the claret & blue shirt in the new season. P.S. City, Easy Jet do some good flights to Europe if you are looking to get away for the next couple of years.

Posted 12:27 3rd June 2009

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