Villa complete late Knight signing

Aston Villa have completed the £3.5m signing of Fulham defender Zat Knight on a four-year deal.

Knight signed his contract today after both clubs had agreed a fee for the 27-year-old late last night.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill said: "Zat has got a lot of natural talent. I'm hoping that if he performs the way he can perform and has done in the past, we can expect him to be a big asset."

Knight was born in nearby Solihull and is a lifelong Villa fan. In 1999 he moved from his first club Rushall Olympic to Fulham for a 'fee' of 30 tracksuits.

Knight only signed a new three-year deal with Fulham in the summer but boss Lawrie Sanchez was prepared to let him move on.

Knight, who made two full England appearances in 2005, will give O'Neill options at centre-back alongside Olof Mellberg, Martin Laursen and Gary Cahill.