Aston Villa have signed former Manchester City right-back Micah Richards to a four-year deal, the team announced on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old, who spent the 204-15 season on loan at Fiorentina, will join on a free transfer.
BREAKING NEWS: Villa sign defender @MicahRichards. Full details here: http://t.co/GOT9jWF06O #AVFC pic.twitter.com/MdZL9MaIN8
- Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) June 17, 2015
"I'm really pleased to get Micah on board and I'm sure he will prove to be an excellent signing for the football club," Villa manager Tim Sherwood told the team's website.
Richards started his career at City in 2005 and won the Premier League in 2012 and FA Cup in 2011 but found his chances limited in recent seasons.
He made just 10 appearances in 2013-14, and just two in the league, as City regained the title and was loaned then out to Italy.
The Birmingham-born England international, who has 13 caps, played 20 games for the Viola as they finished fourth in Serie A.
Richards leaves the Etihad having scored nine goals in 245 games for City.
Information from Press Association was used in this report.