Gravesen in as Celtic sell Petrov

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BIRMINGHAM, England -- Bulgarian midfielder Stilian Petrov has become Martin O'Neill's first signing at Aston Villa, by moving from Celtic on a four-year contract.

Villa were thought to have agreed a fee of eight million pounds ($15.2 million) with the Glasgow club, where Petrov played under O'Neill.

Celtic wasted no time in replacing Petrov, signing Denmark midfielder Thomas Gravesen from Real Madrid on a three-year contract.

No details were given about the deal for the combative 30-year-old, who joined Real from Premier League club Everton last year.

"I am delighted to have joined Celtic, one of the biggest clubs in the world," Gravesen said in a statement.

"When I was made aware of Celtic's interest, naturally, I was very keen to talk to the club and now...I am very excited about this move.

"I am eager to get going and do all I can for Celtic. I look forward to meeting up with my new team mates next week."

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said: "Thomas has shown great desire to play for Celtic and it is very clear that he is looking forward to joining the club. He is a player of great ability."

Petrov, capped 50 times by Bulgaria, had a transfer request turned down at the end of last season but said this week he was still keen to leave the Scottish champions.

The 27-year-old, who had four years remaining on his contract, was a key figure under O'Neill as Celtic won three Premier League titles and reached the UEFA Cup final.

Petrov is currently away on European Championship duty with his country, preparing for matches against Romania and Slovenia, but his agent Tony McGill has completed negotiations.

Petrov should make his Villa debut against West Ham at Upton Park on September 10.

His arrival will provide competition in midfield for Gavin McCann and Steven Davis who have impressed during Villa's fine start to the Premiership campaign.

Petrov joined Celtic from CSKA Sofia seven years ago and endured a testing first season before the arrival of O'Neill from Leicester in the summer of 2000 saw an upturn in his fortunes.

He was voted the Scottish Premier League's player of the year in 2001 after helping Celtic to the domestic treble.

O'Neill told Villa's Web site: "I've known him for quite some time and I think he is athletic, young and can also score some goals for us.

"I think his best years are ahead of him, at 27 years old. He's the right age but he's also got plenty of experience behind him.

"He's got that winning mentality from his years at Celtic but I think he had that anyway."

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