Micah Richards - Released

[PeterWithesShin]

Nothing official yet, but as this seems to have legs, he gets his own thread.

Mirror

Micah Richards has agreed to join Aston Villa after turning down a lucrative deal from Sunderland.

Sunderland had offered the right back around £90,000-a-week, but he chose Villa - and a deal understood to be around £65,000-a-week - after a personal intervention from Tim Sherwood.

The sought-after 26-year-old, had also been pursued by West Ham following his release from Manchester City.

The Villa boss is understood to have convinced Richards that he would play a key role in his new-look side and that he would be helped in his bid to break back into the England picture.

Richards has been at Italian club Fiorentina on loan but has made just 20 appearances for the Serie A club.

He has been keen to come back to the Premier League for some time, despite interest from Inter Milan, managed by his former City boss Roberto Mancini.

[Ron Manager]

Well he looked promising at the beginning of his career, fast and powerful, but has lost his way over the past few years. No doubt very wealthy
though from his Man City contract. Could fit in at right back or centre half At 25/26 he has plenty of time left to make his way back to the top.

Could be a good signing for us.

[PaulWinch again]

I'd be happy if he signs. As free transfers go he's potentially high quality. But £65,000 a week, isn't that kind of out of keeping with our wages?

[Risso]

Last time he played regularly, he was very good, and then lost his place to Zabaleta which is no disgrace.

Not sure I could ever forgive his potty mouth when he got the winner against us though.  How uncouth!

[Risso]

I'd be happy if he signs. As free transfers go he's potentially high quality. But £65,000 a week, isn't that kind of out of keeping with our wages?

The huge new TV deal says hello!

[PaulWinch again]

I'd be happy if he signs. As free transfers go he's potentially high quality. But £65,000 a week, isn't that kind of out of keeping with our wages?

The huge new TV deal says hello!

Still surprised we'd pay in line with it.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

65k a week?

[Trinitymiddle]

A Brummie, as well!!!

[Pete3206]

I'm amazed that he's only 26.

[Trinitymiddle]

65k a week?

On a free, so bigger personal package

[silhillvilla]

Where does this leave Scottish cafu

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

65k a week?

On a free, so bigger personal package

Still, that's way too much for a player like him. Is MON back in charge of our transfer policy?

[Exeter 77]

A Brummie, as well!!!

Think he was born in Birmingham by accident rather than his family living here - he was brought up somewhere lije Doncaster I think.

[PeterWithesShin]

Last time he played regularly, he was very good, and then lost his place to Zabaleta which is no disgrace.

Not sure I could ever forgive his potty mouth when he got the winner against us though.  How uncouth!

Last minute equaliser. Stupid ko time on a Sunday, shit crowd and atmosphere, was a pretty miserable game to be at. And we lost the replay.

[Bad English]

ABHHTS