Manchester: Manchester City completed the signing of James Milner from Aston Villa on Wednesday, sending Stephen Ireland to Villa in part-exchange for the England midfielder.
City did not say how much it paid for Milner but British papers reported that he cost about 26 million pounds ($40.6 million) plus Ireland, who was City's player of the year two seasons ago.
That would push City's spending to almost 150 million pounds ($234 million) since the end of last season, when Tottenham edged it to fourth spot and the final Champions League qualifying berth.
City first bid for Milner, who signed a five-year contract, in May after he won the Professional Footballers' Association young player of the year award for a season in which he scored seven goals in 36 Premier League appearances.
But Villa turned down the offer, forcing City to resume its efforts to acquire him after the World Cup.
Milner scored in Villa's 3-0 win over West Ham on Saturday's opening day of the Premier League season but could make his City debut in Monday's Premier League match against Liverpool.
"I am very happy to have James with us," Roberto Mancini said. "Everybody knows we have admired him for some time. He is an excellent midfielder, who can play in a number of positions. This is important for the team, and I am looking forward to seeing him play for us.
"We have a very strong squad and this signing is a very important one for us."
The 24-year-old Milner excelled for Villa after moving infield to fill the central midfield role vacated when Gareth Barry joined City in July 2009. He played on the right of midfield for England at the World Cup.
Ireland spent the second half of last season mostly as a substitute following Mancini's arrival at City.
"He is also a very good player and he has played a big part in City's history," Mancini said. "I think he will enjoy the change of being at another club and I hope he does well for Aston Villa."
Mancini said last week that Milner would be City's last signing of the transfer window, which closes on August 31.
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