ALBION have struck a £500,000 deal with Aston Villa for their former schoolboy stars Gareth Barry and Michael Standing.

The compromise between chairman Dick Knight and Villa counterpart Doug Ellis replaces the existing transfer packages for both players.

It means Albion have landed a total of £1.1 million for the pair.

The Seagulls would have received £300,000 more if Barry and Standing go on to fulfill all the first team and international appearance criteria set by the tribunals which determined their fees.

Knight said: "I think £500,000 is a very good deal. It's good because we get £500,000 now as opposed to a possible £800,000 in the future, a lot of which is to do with international appearances.

"It's useful money now, because we have this delicate balancing act of giving Micky Adams more money for the team, the large costs of playing at Withdean and the planning application for Falmer, which is almost complete.

""We have given Villa a bit of a discount, but it resolves all of the issues. Hopefully now these boys can get on with their careers without any hinderances and we wish them every success."

Albion have already pocketed £550,000 for defender Barry. The deal was agreed before Barry played his 60th game for Villa last Saturday, the point at which another £250,000 became due.

The Seagulls were also scheduled to receive £25,000 for an England under 21 cap, £200,000 for a full cap and 15 per cent of any sell-on.

In November a Football League Appeals Committee awarded Albion a £50,000 downpayment for midfielder Standing, Knight's great nephew.

They were also due to collect £200,000 if Standing, who has yet to make his first team debut, plays 40 games for Villa, £25,000 for an England under 21 cap, £100,000 for a full England cap plus a 15 per cent sell-on.

Knight's agreement with Ellis ends a long-running feud between their clubs over the awards for Barry and Standing.

Villa witheld one of the installments for the Barry deal and the Premier League had to step in to divert their TV cash to the Seagulls.

Knight took up Standing's case with Premier League chairman Dave Richards after it was delayed for a year. In November a Football League Appeals Committee awarded Albion a £50,000 downpayment for midfielder Standing, Knight's great nephew.

They were also due to collect £200,000 if Standing, who has yet to make his first team debut, plays 40 games for Villa, £25,000 for an England under 21 cap, £100,000 for a full England cap plus a 15 per cent sell-on.

Knight's agreement with Ellis ends a long-running feud between their clubs over the awards for Barry and Standing.

Villa witheld one of the installments for the Barry deal and the Premier League had to step in to divert their TV cash to the Seagulls.

Knight took up Standing's case with Premier League chairman Dave Richards after it was delayed for a year.

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