Former Ireland underage international Louie Barry joins Aston Villa from Barcelona

Former Republic of Ireland international Louie Barry has joined Premier League Aston Villa from Barcelona.

Barry played for the Boys in Green at under-16 level previously as the 16-year-old has impressed through the ranks.

The highly-rated teenager has made the move to Villa subject to international clearance and will go straight into the Academy set-up at Bodymoor Heath.

“It (Louie’s signing) sends a powerful message about the ambition of this football club,” Villa Academy Manager Mark Harrison said.

“We’re delighted - Louie is a local person and his family are all Villa fans, as is Louie.

“He is still a very young man but as he’s developed, he’s always been one player that you always recognise as having outstanding attributes. He’s got a fantastic mentality, he’s desperate to do well for this football club.

“He’s really driven, he’s got great family support, but in terms of what he can achieve, we firmly believe that he can be an outstanding number nine for this football club.”