Whittingham has fallen out of favour at Aston Villa

The 22-year-old, who would have been out of contract at the end of the season, signed for a reported fee of �350,000 after passing a medical.

"I've played over 50 games in the Premiership so hopefully I can bring something to the team," he said.

"The move only really came about a week or so ago but I was happy to do it."

The 22-year-old former England Under-21 international has played only four times for Villa this season, and was a transfer target for Cardiff last year.

"Everyone knows what a massive fan base the club has got and the manager sold the club to me," he added.

"Hopefully I can now settle down in a midfield role."

Whittingham broke into the Villa first team in the 2003-04 season after coming through the club's youth system.

But he has struggled to hold down a first-team place and went on loan to Championship side Burnley in February 2005 before joining Derby in a three-month loan deal the following September.