Aston Villa have beaten Monday's Transfer Deadline to capture Manchester United's Cameroon international midfielder Eric Djemba Djemba for a deal worth in excess of £2 million.

Villa have paid £1.5 million up-front and the overall transfer fee could rise to around £2 million depending on appearances and future success at Villa Park.

The 23-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal after failing to impress as a Red Devil, making just 27 starts in a United jersey since his £3.5 million signing from Nantes in July 2003.

Villa boss David O'Leary has been candid in expressing his concern regarding the size of his injury-hit squad, but will be boosted with the signing of Djemba-Djemba.

Cameroon international Djemba-Djemba admitted: "I could have stayed at Old Trafford, but I'm hungry for regular football."

"I spoke with Sir Alex Ferguson and told him I wanted to improve myself and to play more games. Manchester United is a big team, but I didn't want to stay there and not play."

He added: "This is a good opportunity for me to show that I can make the grade in the Premiership. I am determined to succeed and do well for Aston Villa."