Stoke City sign Stephen Ireland on permanent deal
Villa misfit Stephen Ireland today completed a permanent move to Stoke.
The midfielder had been on a season-long loan at the Britannia but has now ended his disappointing Villa career.
The exiles were dubbed 'the bomb squad' after they were made to train away from the rest of the first team.
The 27-year-old cost Villa £8m from Manchester City in 2010 – as a replacement for the Etihad-bound James Milner.
He made 57 appearances – the last coming in the 2-1 League Cup semi-final defeat to Bradford 12 months ago.