Dunne deal finally goes through

ASTON VILLA have taken their summer spending to €45 million after finally confirming the signing of Manchester City captain Richard Dunne yesterday.

Republic of Ireland international Dunne has ended his nine-year spell with City by making a €6.8 million switch from Eastlands.

The Premier League asked for more time to ratify the deal despite Villa starting to submit the relevant documents before 4pm yesterday – an hour before the transfer window formally closed.

But Villa were always confident Dunne would become their player after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

The English Football Association were also satisfied with the paperwork presented by Villa but needed the approval of the Premier League.

Dunne becomes Villa’s second defensive capture after Welsh international James Collins signed from West Ham yesterday for €5.6 million.

Manager Martin O’Neill has been desperate to bolster his back four after skipper Martin Laursen retired and Zat Knight was sold to Bolton. He said: “Richard Dunne is the kind of person we are looking for.” Dunne’s days at Eastlands appeared to be numbered after the arrival of Kolo Toure from Arsenal and then Joleon Lescott from Everton.

Villa started the current campaign with only two experienced centre-backs in Curtis Davies and Carlos Cuellar.

The need for new blood became even more pressing after Davies started to suffer more regular recurrences of his long-standing shoulder problem and he may need surgery.

O’Neill was forced to blood 19-year-old Ciaran Clark alongside Cuellar in Sunday’s 2-0 home success over Fulham.

Villa agreed a fee last week with City for Dunne but the deal dragged on past the weekend because the player wanted to sort out financial issues relating to the remaining three years of his contract.

Dunne would have been entitled to a testimonial next summer when he would have completed a decade of service at City.

Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov said: “He’s the captain of Ireland, he’s been the captain of Manchester City. You love to see players like that coming to this club.

“Martin Laursen was a big player for us, with his presence and his influence. But he, like Gareth Barry, is now gone and we need to get on without him.

“The arrival of Dunne will help us to do that.”

Dunne is convinced Villa can cross the great divide and break into the top four in the Premier League this season.

The 52-times-capped Republic of Ireland international, who has signed a four-year deal, said: “I’m delighted. It’s a great opportunity for me. Aston Villa have improved each season recently, and hopefully I can be part of a squad that can challenge for a Champions League spot.