Villa tie up Dunne deal

Premier League approve defender's £6m move from City

Last updated: 2nd September 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Villa tie up Dunne deal

Dunne: Finalised move

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Aston Villa have completed the signing of Richard Dunne after the Premier League ratified his £6million move from Manchester City.

Dunne was unable to finalise his switch to Villa Park on transfer deadline day on Tuesday despite the paperwork having been sent off to the Premier League.

However, the delay has proved short-lived and Villa have now confirmed the capture of the Republic of Ireland international.

The former City captain becomes the second defender to link up with Villa this week after James Collins arrived from West Ham United.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill had been keen to improve his options in the centre of defence after losing Martin Laursen to retirement and selling Zat Knight to Bolton.

Dunne will now be in contention to make his Villa debut in the local derby against Birmingham City, live on Sky Sports 1, on Sunday 13th September.

Ultimate professional

City boss Mark Hughes paid tribute to Dunne and admits it would have been difficult for the 29-year-old to stay at the club following the signings of Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott.

Hughes told the club's official website: "Richard has been outstanding for Manchester City. He is the ultimate professional and has served the club magnificently.

"Winning the player of the year award for four consecutive years tells you everything about him. We all wish him well for his future career at Aston Villa.

"It would have been difficult for Dunney to stay given his standing at the club and I understand that. I wasn't going to stand in his way.

"I could have tried to stop him going and said I wanted him as a squad player, but out of respect for what he has done for City I wasn't going to do that."

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