Villa have got an outstanding player in James, says KK

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has hailed James Milner 'a fantastic professional' after the England Under 21 international completed his move to Aston Villa earlier today.

James, who is represented by the PFA, had expressed his wish to leave Tyneside, and Keegan said: "He's a player who, in an ideal world, you would not want to lose, but I just want to make it absolutely clear that at the end of the day, it was my decision to sell him.

"We got an offer that I feel was his value. We are all aware James has had a difficult time - he almost signed for them once before and was dragged back.

"But he has always behaved impeccably. He's a fantastic professional, and there's no doubt about it, they've got an outstanding player and we have got to move on."

The fee is believed to be something in the region of £10million, and James is delighted to have signed a four-year contract which will keep him at Villa Park until the summer of 2012.

He underwent a medical at Bodymoor Heath today, and could be in contention to play for Martin O'Neill's side against Liverpool at Villa Park on Sunday.

PFA Deputy Chief Executive Mick McGuire said of Villa's acquisition of James, who spent the entire 2005-06 campaign on loan at Villa Park: "We are delighted to have been involved in the deal that has taken James from Newcastle to Aston Villa."

Milner submitted a transfer request a week ago and whilst Keegan was reluctant to sell, Mick adds: "Clearly the offer was too good for Newcastle to refuse.

"The negotiations went smoothly and I have to say that Martin O'Neill was top class. James is absolutely delighted to be committing his long-term future to Aston Villa. "

James looked all set to sign for Villa in a permanent deal in August 2006, but Newcastle pulled the plug at the 11th hour after failing at that stage to sign Mark Viduka.

Milner becomes O'Neill's seventh signing of the summer and he could well further bolster his squad now that Villa have booked their place in the first round proper of the UEFA Cup for the first time in seven years.