Manchester City signing Stuart Taylor has revealed how Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel gave him positive advice prior to accepting the offer.

The 28-year old has joined City where he will provide adequate back-up for Shay Given and said that information he received from Friedel (who played under City manager Mark Hughes at Blackburn), helped him make his decision.

"I talked to Brad for some advice and he couldn't speak highly enough of the manager and his goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock," Taylor said.

"He has a high regard for Kevin as a person as well as a coach and I can't wait to start. This is a fantastic club to be joining, a club that is going places with a great new owner and a manager I have a lot of respect for."