Left-back Nicky Shorey this evening completed his move from Reading, signing a three-year Villa Park deal.

The England international becomes Martin O'Neill's fourth new signing of the summer, joining Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan and former Royals team mate Steve Sidwell.

He will link-up with his new team mates when they return from a taining camp in Spain.

Shorey joined Reading from Leyton Orient in February 2001, having progressed through the Brisbane Road youth ranks.

Within a year the £25,000 signing had firmly established himself in the Royals side.

Shorey played a major part in Reading's 2005-06 promotion campaign, making 39 starts and scoring two goals.

He carried that impressive form into the Barclays Premier League and became Reading's first England player in almost 100 years when he started the first international at the new Wembley against Brazil.

A second cap came in August 2007 with another run-out in the 2-1 defeat at home to Germany.

Did You Know?

Shorey has played in all four professional divisions of the English football league system.

In a vote to compile Reading's best-ever eleven, Shorey was voted the best left back with 53.1% of the vote.

Earlier in his career, Shorey was near to having his left foot amputated due to an infection. He was on a drip for three months but came through the treatment and made a full recovery.