Aston Villa signed England international Kieran Richardson from relegated Fulham for an undisclosed fee on Friday.

Richardson, who can play on the left side of defence or midfield, has put pen to paper on a two-year contract at Villa Park with a further year's option.

The 29-year-old has won eight senior England caps, scoring two goals, with his last appearance for his country coming in 2006.

Richardson almost signed for Villa on a trainee basis when he was a teenager before joining Manchester United at the start of his career.

"The last time I was here I was 14 years old when I was unsigned," Richardson told Villa's website.

"The place now, of course, has changed a lot, it's really magnificent and I'm delighted to be here.

"Villa Park itself has always been my favourite stadium out of all of the stadiums in which I've played in the Premier League.

"It's got great atmosphere, the fans are magnificent and I'm really looking forward to playing here. I know I'm going to love it."

Villa manager Paul Lambert added: "Kieran will complement many of the players here well with what he brings.

"He will add pace, a great deal of experience and he knows the Barclays Premier League. He's played a lot of games for a lad who has yet to turn 30.

"The grounding he gained at Manchester United has stood him in good stead and he knows what it is to compete in this league and to win things and that's important."