From soccernet:
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.
City manager Mark Hughes is banking on Barry's experience in the domestic and international arena to take the club to the next level.
Hughes said: "Gareth is widely acknowledged as one of the top midfielders in the Premier League and that is a recommendation in itself.
"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. 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.''
Hughes is keen to complete some more early summer transfer business. He said: "I was looking to get a number of deals done as soon as possible and we have had a great start with Gareth joining us.
"I hope we can conclude some more so that when we come back for pre-season training we have everybody fit and well and set for a successful campaign.''
Club captain Richard Dunne, currently on Republic of Ireland duty, welcomed Barry on board.
"He is a really good player and a player the Aston Villa fans will really miss, '' said the defender.
"It shows the pulling power of the club. It's the sort of signing the manager is looking for - players with Premier League experience who can push the squad on.''
Barry has proved to be adaptable over the years and that is a trait that Hughes believes will serve City well.
"I like players that have the sort of flexibility that enables you to change your tactics if you need during a game, and Gareth has that,'' he told the club's official website.
"He also has a range of passing that I am keen to introduce to the team, and he has got great delivery at set-plays as well. He will bring a lot to City.
"I have spoken to him briefly, and I will do at greater length soon. It is clear to everybody that being at City is going to be exciting in the future, and Gareth sees that.''
Barry, currently with the England squad preparing for a World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan on Saturday, said: "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.
"There is great potential here, and I'm sure there will be a few more additions to the squad this summer.''
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.
wa, with barry gone, how will aston villa cope? does this lead the way for the other stars like ashley young and agbonlahor to go? better not. villa is a strong team because of the current squad. they must try to keep their stars!
and 12 million? i would have expected more for a player of barry's calibre. who else can man c lure to their club? if they can get a few more signatures of such good standard, it will be interesting..
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