Gareth Barry. signed a five-year contract at Eastlands.

Manchester City have completed a surprise £12million transfer swoop for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

The 28-year-old England midfielder has signed a five-year contract at Eastlands.

Barry, who was a target for Liverpool last summer, leaves Villa after 12 years and more than 400 matches.

City manager Mark Hughes is banking on the midfielder'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."

Club captain Richard Dunne 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 City'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 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."

GARETH BARRY FACTFILE

1981: Born, Hastings, February 23.

1997: Joins Aston Villa as a trainee from Brighton for £50,000.

1998: February 23 - Signs first professional contract at Villa.

May 2 - Makes debut as substitute in 3-1 Premier League win at Sheffield Wednesday.

May 10 - First start for Villa is in 1-0 home win over Arsenal.

November 17 - Makes England Under-21 debut in friendly against Czech Republic. Goes on to earn 27 caps.

1999: April 24 - Scores first Villa goal in 2-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest.

2000: May 31 - Makes senior England debut as substitute in 2-0 friendly win over Ukraine at Wembley.

June: Called up to England's Euro 2000 squad but does not feature during the tournament.

September 2 - Starts first senior England game in 1-1 draw with France in Paris.

2006: August 19 - Awarded Villa captaincy for opening Premier League game of the season at Arsenal and retains the job.

August 27 - Ends speculation about his future by signing a four-year contract at Villa.

2007: February 2 - Named in England squad for first time since 2003 for friendly against Spain.

October 28 - Becomes youngest player to make 300 Premier League appearances (aged 26 years 247 days), beating Frank Lampard's record.

2008: May 1 - Liverpool launch bid to buy Barry.

May 2 - Villa boss Martin O'Neill confirms Liverpool's bid but decries it as "a mish-mash of nameless player exchanges". O'Neill also criticises Liverpool for making their interest public.

June 1 - Scores first international goal in England's 3-0 friendly win in Trinidad and Tobago. Also captains England for the first time in second half of the game.

Describes Liverpool's interest as "flattering".

June 29 - Reveals he wants to join Liverpool and criticises O'Neill for not making enough effort to keep him at Villa Park.

July 2 - Barry is fined two weeks' wages and ordered not to return for pre-season training for his criticism of O'Neill. Villa reveal they have rejected another improved offer from Liverpool.

July 16 - Barry is permitted to return to training.

July 22 - Plays for Villa in a friendly at Walsall and is booed by the travelling supporters.

August 22 - Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger reveals his own interest in Barry.

August 27 - Barry's agent confirms the player will stay with Villa.

2009: May - Villa offer to make Barry their highest-paid player if he signs a new contract.

June 2 - Barry joins Manchester City for £12million.