Kieran Richardson joins Aston Villa on two year deal
Kieran Richardson today penned a two-year deal at Villa after joining from Fulham.
The 29-year-old becomes the claret and blues' third signing of the summer and follows his new team-mate Philippe Senderos from the Cottagers.
Richardson played under Villa No.2 Roy Keane at Sunderland and also played with him at Manchester United.
He joins Joe Cole at Villa Park and is likely to feature in their first pre-season friendly at Mansfield on Thursday.
"The last time I was here I was 14 years old when I was unsigned and the main building here at Bodymoor wasn't here at that time," Richardson recalled."It was a small building then in the other corner of the training ground. The place now, of course, has changed a lot, it's really magnificent and I'm delighted to be here."It's definitely up there with the best training grounds I've been to. I've been able to catch up with Gordon and that was nice. He's a legend here and it just brought back all the memories.
"Villa Park itself has always been my favourite stadium out of all of the stadiums in which I've played in the Premier League. It's got great atmosphere, the fans are magnificent and I'm really looking forward to playing here. I know I'm going to love it."
Richardson signed for Manchester United as a 17 year old from West Ham United.
He made 81 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils, scoring 11 goals, and was part of the squad that won the Premier League title in 2006-07 and the League Cup in 2005-06.
He had a loan spell with West Bromwich Albion during his time at Old Trafford, playing a central part in keeping the Baggies in the Premier League in 2005.
He moved to Sunderland in July 2007 to link up with former teammate, and current Villa assistant manager, Keane, who was manager at the Stadium of Light.
He stayed on Wearside for five years, making 149 appearances in all competitions and scoring 15 goals, before moving back to London with Fulham in August 2012.
He made 48 appearances for the Cottagers, scoring six times.
Richardson has earned eight England caps, scoring twice on his debut against the USA - the second set up by new Villa team-mate Joe Cole.
