Coventry City sign Stephen O'Halloran from Aston Villa

[dutchman]

Aston Villa left-back Stephen O'Halloran has joined Coventry City on a free transfer.

The 22-year-old Republic of Ireland international has agreed a one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months at the Ricoh Arena.

O'Halloran, whose caps came in 2007 and 2008, began his career at Villa as an apprentice but has failed to break into the first team.

He has had loan spells at Wycombe, Southampton and Swansea.

O'Halloran told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire: "I had a meeting with the manager [Aidy Boothroyd] and I got a really positive vibe off him.

"He's looking forward to getting a few boys in and luckily I'm one of the boys he's brought in so I'm looking forward to the start of the season.

"I've had my share of injury problems but I've put them behind me now thanks to Villa - they've been great to me.

"I did my cruciate ligament which was a bad injury but luckily I had a great team at Villa to look after me and I had my operation."