Gareth Barry wants to help turn Manchester City from a mid-table club into title contenders.

The England midfielder completed a £12million switch from Aston Villa earlier this month, bringing to an end a 12-year spell at the midlands club.

He said: "I think this club has got everything in place to achieve big things and challenge right at the top, to go from a mid-table team to a team challenging right at the top."

He added at Thursday's press conference: "You have seen the type of players Manchester City are able to attract, like Robinho.

"The club put a price on me and Manchester City have come in and paid the money really early on.

"I spoke to the manager (Mark Hughes). I spent a bit of time thinking, spoke to friends and I am confident I have made the right decision. I felt very wanted here. The ambition was the main thing for me."

Barry was close to a move to Liverpool last summer after revealing his desire to play in the Champions League. But he insists he is not thinking about might have been.

"It's completely out of my mind, worrying about Liverpool and what could have been. That's all in the past," he said. "This season it's a different situation. Manchester City have had a bid accepted for me and they made me feel wanted."

Barry issued a letter to fans through a local newspaper after the move explaining his decision to leave Villa Park.

He added: "People made out I was sort of apologising for it. I don't feel a need to apologise for leaving Aston Villa. I just stated my reasons. I had spent 12 years at the club and wanted to state my reasons."