Gareth Barry has spoken of Manchester City's potential to be a "major force" as the main reason behind his shock move to Eastlands in a letter to Aston Villa fans.
The midfielder spent 12 years at Villa Park before completing a whirlwind £12million switch on Tuesday. He had voiced his desire to sign for Liverpool last summer and play Champions League football and Reds boss Rafael Benitez was expected to launch another bid after failing to match Villa's £18million valuation last year.
Barry's move to the Premier League's richest club is sure to go down badly with Villa fans, who initially booed him at the start of last season but came to respect his commitment to the cause.
In a letter to fans published in the Birmingham Mail, Barry said: "Once I had spoken to (City manager) Mark Hughes there was nowhere else I wanted to go. I was also desperate to avoid any long, drawn-out saga.
"I feel I am joining a club that will seriously challenge to win major honours. People might doubt that but I am convinced, with the plans the club has short term and long term and the backing the manager will receive from the owners, that we will be a major force.
"I have honestly been very undecided what to do, the (Villa) manager (Martin O'Neill) and the whole club have bent over backwards to try and persuade me to stay and made me a fantastic offer, which I am extremely grateful for."
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Hes a prat is what he is! Its not the fact he's gone it's the way he's handled things ever since Liverpoo started sniffin at him last summer! He could've retained his dignity AND the adoration of the fans who saw him as one of their own! But what hurts most is that we KNOW he's gone for the money (unless u wanna tell me Man City can win the league next season) and i for one just dont buy his bull*hit
To all you Villa whingers: "Get over it". After all "Tomorrow is another day"!!!. CTID...
Funny how your grovelling "apology" to go for the money never once mentioned your previous reasons for wanting to move i.e. European Chamions League football. Well at Man City you might be getting Chamionship football after a season should City be relegated and this could happen after Hughes is sacked at christmas and city are in a relegation spot. Your original plea gained some sympathy with supporters but your actions are that of a money grabbing typical footballer. I just paid £900 for two seasons tickets and as you really left just after Christmas with a stream of average performances I will just say f...k off
yeah Barry if it makes you feel better keep telling your self that you didnt go there for the money
piss off
good luck to the bloke, hes given 12 really good years to villa, and without a doubt man city, wether you like it or not will be a force next season.
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