Friedel departs for Villa

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel for around £2.5million on a three-year contract.

The 37-year-old former Liverpool and USA international shot-stopper was given permission to talk to Villa by Rovers - who had already replaced him by snapping up Paul Robinson from Tottenham on Friday evening - after agreeing an undisclosed fee thought to be over £2million.

Friedel has since passed a medical and agreed terms at Villa Park with boss Martin O'Neill and completed the formalities of the switch ahead of his new club's Intertoto Cup tie second leg against Danish side Odense.

Manchester City's former Blackburn boss Mark Hughes had been linked with a late bid to hijack the transfer but Friedel, who made 287 appearances for the Ewood Park club, has opted for Villa.