London: Aston Villa completed a four-year deal for Micah Richards late on Wednesday, ending the 26-year-old’s decade-long association with Manchester City.

Richards, who spent last season on loan at Fiorentina in Italy, will officially join Villa on a free transfer on July 1 after his City contract expires. The England defender started his career at City in 2005 and won the Premier League in 2012 and FA Cup in 2011 but found his chances limited in recent seasons.

He made just 10 appearances in 2013-14, and just two in the league, as City regained the title.