Premier League champions Manchester United [ Images ] continued their close-season restructuring and acquisition of home-grown talent when they signed Aston Villa [ Images ] and England [ Images ] forward Ashley Young [ Images ] on Thursday.

Young, who agreed a five-year contract in a deal estimated to be worth around 15 million pounds, is manager Alex Ferguson's [ Images ] second June buy.

The United boss is bidding to strengthen his ranks following last season's 19th Premier League title and Champions League [ Images ] final appearance in which they were largely outclassed by a rampant Barcelona [ Images ] side.

The 25-year-old winger, who can also play as a second striker, joins England under-21 defender Phil Jones, who moved to United from Blackburn Rovers in another big-money move earlier this month.

"Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Aston Villa for the transfer of Ashley Young," the club said in a statement on their website (www.manutd.com).

"The player passed a medical in Manchester this week and has agreed a five-year contract."

Young joined Villa from Watford in 2007 and has since built a reputation as a consistent Premier League performer with an impressive change of pace and an eye for a pass.

His international career has been stop-start, however, and he has collected only 15 caps since making his debut in 2007.

He did not even make Fabio Capello's [ Images ] England squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa [ Images ].

But he forced his way back into the international setup and showcased his ability to change a game when he came off the bench to score the equalizer in England's 2-2 draw with Switzerland [ Images ] earlier this month.

He was Villa's creator-in-chief last season, notching his team's highest number of assists as he helped them to a ninth-place Premier League finish following a poor start to the campaign.

"The opportunity to come and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world is one I couldn't turn down," Young told the club website.

"It's a prospect I always looked at from being a child."

Young is unlikely to be United's final summer capture, with Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea expected to arrive at Old Trafford following Spain's European under-21 championship campaign.

Photograph: Reuters