Conor Hourihane: Aston Villa confirm deal for midfielder from Barnsley

The 25-year-old has become the club's fifth signing of the January window – and third in the space of just 24 hours - having put pen-to-paper on a three-and-a-half year deal.

"I'm really pleased to be here," said Hourihane.

"Aston Villa are a massive club and I'm looking forward to a new chapter in my career and developing further as a player under Steve Bruce.

"I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone connected to Barnsley, from the owner, to the head coach, the backroom staff, and of course to the supporters who have been amazing to me throughout my time at Oakwell."

Hourihane's arrival follows that of his former Tykes team-mate James Bree and Iceland international Birkir Bjarnason on Wednesday.

Villa boss Steve Bruce recruited goalkeeper Sam Johnstone on loan from Manchester United and midfielder Henri Lansbury in a £3million deal from Nottingham Forest earlier in the month and remains keen to add a striker before next Tuesday's deadline.

Hourihane, who previously played under Bruce as a youngster at Sunderland, has been the Championship's most productive player this season, netting six goals and setting up many more and will be tasked with bringing more creativity to a Villa team too often lacking in flair.

The Cork-born player spent two-and-a-half seasons at Oakwell after joining Barnsley from Plymouth, making 130 appearances and captaining the team.

A Barnsley club statement read: "Conor made it clear to the board that he saw the move as an opportunity to further his career and he wanted to pursue the move.

"Under these circumstances, and considering that Conor's contract was coming to an end in the Summer where he could transfer for free, the club respected that decision and reluctantly allowed him to move on for a significant fee and sell-on."