The two clubs have agreed on deal worth a total of €5.1 million, while the Spanish champions will receive 50 percent of any future sale.

Villa joined Barca in 2010 from fellow La Liga side Valencia and has scored 48 goals in 119 appearances across all competitions.

Premier League side Tottenham had been reported to be close to securing a transfer for the Spain international, but it appears that the Copa del Rey holders, who will feature in next season's UEFA Champions League, have now won the race for the striker's signature.

The Spaniard began his career at Sporting Gijon before a move to Zaragoza in 2003, where his performances convinced then Valencia manager Quique Sanchez Flores to take him to the Estadio Mestalla.

He enjoyed a successful spell at the club, winning a Copa del Rey medal in 2008 while also earning international success as Spain brought home the 2008 UEFA European Championships.

The 31-year-old made the move to Camp Nou in 2010 in a €40 million deal, winning La Liga and Champions League medals in his debut season.

But he missed eight months of football through injury after breaking his leg at the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2011.

Upon his return he found his first-team opportunities limited and the Spain international almost joined Arsenal in the January transfer window.

Villa will move to Atletico for an initial €2.1m, with an extra €2m due if he stays at the club in the 2014-15 season, while they will pay another €1m if extends his tenure for a third season.

His first fixture could be against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, as Atletico's Copa del Rey triumph means they meet the Liga champions in the season's curtain-raiser.