Aston Villa FC

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Villa complete Downing coup

16 Jul 2009 - 16:08:18

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Aston Villa have wrapped up the signing of England winger Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough in a deal worth £12million.

The 24-year-old has signed a four-year contract at Villa Park, having passed a medical despite currently being sidelined by a foot injury.

Downing had made 239 appearances for the Teessiders in all competitions, scoring 25 goals, while he has also won 23 England caps to date.

He told his former club's official website: "Leaving Boro feels strange because I've always been at the club.

"I supported them when I was young and I'll always be a Boro fan, but I hope the fans will understand that I'm ambitious and want to win things. This move gives me a chance of that.

"Also I definitely want to play at next year's World Cup, so that's my aim - to get back to full fitness, get back playing and get myself in the England team for the World Cup.

"I don't just want to go there to sit it out this time either. I want to be in the team. I loved the last World Cup, it was brilliant, but I want to play a bigger part this time.

"I have to be with a good Premier League side if I want to do that.

"I've got some great memories of my time with Boro and the Boro fans have been brilliant to me.

"I'd like to thank them for all their support, but especially for sticking by me after all the speculation in January.

"In hindsight, it was a mistake to ask for a move at that point. I was frustrated but I know now I should have waited until the summer."