I put my family first by moving to City, says Delph

Following reports linking him with a move to the North West this summer, the 25-year-old said he would stay at Aston Villa, only to perform a U-turn by signing for City two weeks ago.

The midfielder says he came to the decision after he stayed behind to wait for his wife to give birth as Villa went on a pre-season trip to Portugal.

“The week I didn't travel away my wife was expecting so there was a lot more to think about than football,” Delph told the Daily Mail.

“My family comes first and I was basically sat there waiting for my daughter to be born. Obviously in the back of my mind there was a decision to be made and I'm a City player now. I'm happy and ready to go.

“Everything changes once you have children. Your priorities change. They're No.1. Everything you do, every performance, every time I step on the pitch, I want it to rub off well on my family and make them proud of me. That will always be the way I think throughout my career.”

Delph, whose wife Natalie gave birth to new baby Aleya, injured his hamstring against Real Madrid in Melbourne on City’s pre-season tour and has flown back to the UK. However, he insists he has steered clear of the coverage of his controversial move.

“Anything and everything that has been said I've not seen,” he said. “I keep myself well away from it. All I do is focus on my family, playing well and helping my team-mates.

“I had great time at Villa and made great friends who I'll keep in touch with, but I'm not really looking back. I'm not a player who dwells on things. I'm at Manchester City now and looking forward to challenging for titles.

“It's a dream to come to a club as big as City and play Champions League football. That was huge for me. I think for every player, growing up as a kid you're used to watching it.

“Probably if I hadn't taken this opportunity now it could have passed me by.”