McCann links up with O'Leary

Gavin McCann will jet out to Sweden to join up with his new Aston Villa team-mates today after completing his £2.25m (€3.1m) transfer from Sunderland.

The 25-year-old midfielder agreed personal terms with the midlands club last night and becomes the first Villa signing under new manager David O’Leary.

McCann, who joined Sunderland in 1998 in a £500,000 (€700,000) deal from Everton, has one England cap to his name, awarded in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s first match in charge against Spain more than two years ago.

And he is not expected to be the only significant departure from Sunderland this summer as they seek to right their financially-ailing operation following relegation with star striker Kevin Phillips and Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen – also admired by O’Leary – likely to leave Wearside.

The Wearsiders had hoped to raise up to £4m (€5.6m) from the sale of McCann, but eventually had to yield as they attempt to cope with their financial problems.

Boss Mick McCarthy has never hidden his admiration of a player whose form at the peak of Sunderland’s Premier League charge briefly forced him into the plans of the England manager.

However, McCarthy was philosophical as Villa closed in on their man.

“Everyone knows my thoughts on Gavin,” he said. “He’s a terrific player, one I’d like to keep, but it was impossible to do so. But good luck to him because he’s a terrific lad.”

O’Leary last night watched his side comfortably dispose of Swedish side Pitea 8-0 as their tour of Scandinavia continued.

Swedish international striker Marcus Allback led the way with a first-half hat-trick.

Peter Crouch weighed in with two goals and Alpay and Lee Hendrie also found the net after Gareth Barry had opened the scoring.

Right-back Rob Edwards has, though, returned to Birmingham for treatment following a recurrence of his ankle injury.