Manchester City sign Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph after U-turn

As an England international, with six Three Lions caps so far, Delph impressed enough this season at Villa Park to capture the attention of the Premier League’s elite.

Previously linked to Liverpool, Delph will now link-up with international teammate Joe Hart at the Etihad, as City attempt to add to their quota of homegrown players.

Adept in anchorman and box-to-box roles, Delph began his career as an attacking midfielder with Bradford City’s academy and Leeds United, but eventually began to thrive deeper upon switching to Villa, who he joined in 2009 from the Elland Road outfit.

Bradford-born Delph was a crucial component and key performer as Sherwood’s side clawed their way out of the relegation zone last campaign, and the Villans, who also lost on-loan midfielder Tom Cleverley to Everton, will miss his leadership and bite in the middle of the park.

At Man City, the Yorkshireman will be competing with the likes of Brazilian pair Fernando and Fernandinho for a starting spot, although the Citizens’ most recent English recruits have tended to struggle for game time, with James Milner having already exited the Etihad on a Bosman this summer.

New Villans signing and former City defender Micah Richards also recently weighed in on whether it would be wise for Delph to join Manuel Pellegrini’s men, with a space in England’s Euro 2016 squad up for grabs.

“If he’s going to be playing Champions League, I don’t know, but if he’s going there to be a squad player, then no. So if he gets assurances he’s going to play then the decision is his. I wouldn’t say don’t go to Manchester City, because if he’s playing well he could play.

“To be fair he has asked me what I think about the situation. I told him I can’t comment to be honest. I don’t want to say go there and then he [Pellegrini] doesn’t play him – he’ll be ringing me up afterwards!” added the 27-year-old.

More to follow.