James Milner's protracted transfer to Manchester City has finally been agreed, with Stephen Ireland moving to Aston Villa as part of the deal in a package worth about £26m. Milner was heading to Manchester this afternoon for a medical, having already agreed personal terms with City on a lucrative long-term contract that will see him more than double his salary at Villa Park.

Negotiations were accelerated in the wake of Milner's warning to City last night that he would remain at Villa if the transfer did not go through within the next 24 hours. The England international had become increasingly frustrated and uncomfortable with the situation but talks progressed swiftly this morning as City finally agreed a settlement with Ireland, paving the way for Milner to complete his move to Eastlands and bring an end to the summer's longest transfer saga.

The 24-year-old played for Villa on Saturday, when he scored the third goal in a 3-0 victory over West Ham United. He left the field to a standing ovation and some Villa fans harboured hopes that he might turn his back on City, but that would only have happened had there been no agreement reached by the end of today.

Instead Milner now becomes the latest piece in City's extraordinary summer rebuilding programme. Villa will be disappointed to see Milner leave the club but also relieved that Ireland will arrive in his place together with a fee of about £16m.