Manchester City have completed the signing of James Milner from Aston Villa in a deal which seesStephen Ireland move in the opposite direction.
Milner was in Manchester on Tuesday to undergo a medical before putting pen to paper on a five-year deal at Eastlands.
The 24-year-old will not be available for Thursday's Europa League game against Timisoara but is in contention to make his debut in City's Premier League clash withLiverpool on Monday night.
The deal, thought to be worth in the region of £24 million, with Ireland valued at £8m, with brings City's total summer spending to over £120m.
City boss Roberto Mancini told the club's official website: "I am very happy to have James with us, everybody knows we have admired him for some time.
"He is an excellent midfielder, who can play in a number of positions. This is important for the team, and I am looking forward to seeing him play for us. We have a very strong squad, and this signing is a very important one for us.
"James he is already a very good player, who has proved he can play at the very top level. But he is also young and a good character, I think he can also improve and be a great player for Manchester City for a long time."
Having come through the ranks, Ireland had spent eight years with City, making 142 starts and scoring 23 goals.
Speaking about the Irishman's departure, Mancini added: "I hope things go well for Stevie at Villa. He is also a very good player, and he has played a big part in City’s history.
"I think he will enjoy the change of being at another club, and I hope he does well for Aston Villa."
Eurosport
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