Micah Richards sings Usher hit Nice and Slow during Aston Villa initiation

By Luke Augustus for MailOnline

Published: 17:55 EST, 12 July 2015 | Updated: 04:17 EST, 13 July 2015

He's not had much to sing about in recent seasons but that didn't stop Micah Richards showing off his vocal skills to his new Aston Villa team-mates.

Richards is currently in Portugal getting to know Tim Sherwood's squad as their pre-season preparations continue ahead of the new season.

And Villa's summer signing took part in the annual ritual that greets a new acquisition at nearly all football clubs - an initiation song.

Micah Richards showed off his vocal skills during his Aston Villa initiation on their pre-season tour of Portugal 

Micah Richards showed off his vocal skills during his Aston Villa initiation on their pre-season tour of Portugal 

Richards chose to sing R&B star Usher's 1998 hit Nice and Slow in front of his new team-mates
Richards clicks his finger as he gets into his performance

Richards chose to sing R&B star Usher's 1998 hit Nice and Slow in front of his new team-mates

The 27-year-old's choice was R&B star Usher's 1998 hit Nice and Slow - filmed via Alan Hutton's Instagram account.

While it's clear that Richards' singing isn't his strongest quality, he'll be hoping that Villa supporters will soon be chanting his name with a host of strong defensive performances.

Richards joined the Villa Park outfit on a free transfer on a four-year deal at the start of the month after his contract at Manchester City had expired.

And speaking on Wednesday about his move to the Birmingham-based club Richards revealed he turned down a move to Inter Milan to sign for Sherwood's side.

The 27-year-old defender alerted the Italian giants, who are managed by his former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, to his availability as he spent last season on loan at Fiorentina.

Inter first made their interest known in January and made another approach at the end of the season as Richards' contract at City expired and he became a free agent.

Richards took to Instagram to share a picture of himself 'chilling with new team-mate' Gabby Agbonlahor

Richards took to Instagram to share a picture of himself 'chilling with new team-mate' Gabby Agbonlahor

The defender says he turned down the opportunity to join Inter Milan to return to England with Aston Villa

The defender says he turned down the opportunity to join Inter Milan to return to England with Aston Villa

Inter boss Roberto Mancini (centre right) was keen to reunite with Richards after their time at Manchester CIty

Inter boss Roberto Mancini (centre right) was keen to reunite with Richards after their time at Manchester CIty

But instead of opting to stay in Serie A, where he had struggled for games with Fiorentina, Richards decided to return to the Premier League in the hope of reviving his career.

He said: 'There were quite a few clubs in for me, some abroad, but having not played so much at Fiorentina, I thought it was right to come home.

'I was speaking to Inter as well with Mancini. They tried to get me in January but that didn't materialise.

'I spoke to him afterwards but I wanted to come back to England. I didn't want to be out in Italy and then the manager gets sacked and I'm fighting for my place in the same situation. That's one of the main reasons I chose to come back.'

However, the 27-year-old (right) has decided to return to the Premier League in a bid to revive his career

However, the 27-year-old (right) has decided to return to the Premier League in a bid to revive his career

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