Former England Under-21 goalkeeper Stuart Taylor has
become the second player this summer to leave Aston Villa for the
City of Manchester Stadium - after a glowing testimonial from Villa
No.1 Brad Friedel.
Friedel played under Blues boss Mark Hughes at Blackburn for
three years, and Taylor revealed: "I talked to Brad for some advice
and he couldn't speak highly enough of the manager and his
goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock.
"He has a high regard for Kevin as a person as well as a coach
and I can't wait to start. This is a fantastic club to be joining,
a club that is going places with a great new owner and a manager I
have a lot of respect for."
Taylor, now 28, spent eight years with Arsenal and picked up a
Premier League winner's medal with the Gunners in 2001-02 when he
was sent on late in the final match by Arsene Wenger to qualify
with ten appearances.
The signing of the Romford-born player, who earned three caps
for England Under-21s, will provide competition as well as
experienced cover for Republic of Ireland goalkeeper and No.1
choice Shay Given.
Stuart made 30 senior appearances for Arsenal and spent loan
spells at Bristol Rovers, Crystal Palace, Peterborough and
Leicester before a £1million move to Villa in 2005. He had a spell
on loan at Cardiff last season.
He follows in the footsteps of Villa skipper and England
midfielder Gareth Barry in joining City, and manager Mark Hughes
said: "We are delighted to be able to add a goalkeeper of Stuart's
undoubted calibre to the squad.
"Stuart is still a fairly young goalkeeper at 28 but he provides
a wealth of experience and reliability."
Taylor's arrival will allow Hughes to arrange a loan deal for
current England Under-21 goalkeeper Joe Hart.
mcfc.co.uk
