London (dpa) - Aston Villa confirmed on Thursday that they have finalized the transfer for winger Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough.

The England international, who will be 25 next week, moves for a 12-million-pound (19.7-million-dollar) fee.

"Villa have completed the signing of England international Stewart Downing," a statement on the club website said. "The four-year deal was finalized after the left-sided star agreed terms and passed a medical.

"Downing becomes Martin O'Neill's first summer signing and adds more quality to the manager's claret and blue squad."

Downing is recovering from a broken bone in his foot and is unlikely to be available to play until October at the earliest.