Official: Delph joins City

Fabian Delph's roller coaster transfer saga is over. Villa's former captain has joined the citizens as of Friday evening, dealing a blow to Villa's first team plans. Delph's release clause is a reported £8 million, a number which Manchester City met in order to procure his services. Many Villa fans have voiced their displeasure at the low nature of his release clause, but it is now redundant, as his move has been sealed. In addition, the fact remains: had Delph not made the gesture of signing a new contract this January, he would have joinied City on a free, costing Villa a massive 8 million pounds.

Villa's official statement was concise and no-nonsense: "Aston Villa can confirm that Fabian Delph has exercised the release clause in his contract and will join Manchester City. We'd like to wish him success in his future career."

Delph was instrumental for Villa on the pitch last year, and it appears that Tim Sherwood has already been planning ahead for this, with the singing of Idrissa Gueye looking to be a like-for-like purchase. We will see if Gueye will be able to live up to Delph's quality, but because of Delph's efforts in maintaining Premier League safety for Villa last term, Villa fans shouldn't remember his time here with utter animosity, regardless of the way in which he has left.