Liverpool’s Llori joins Villa on season-long loan

Mark Holmes
Tiago Llori: Has joined Aston Villa on loan from Liverpool

Tiago Llori: Has joined Aston Villa on loan from Liverpool

Aston Villa have signed Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer.

The clubs announced the completion of the deal after the 6pm transfer deadline on September 1 but had submitted the Premier League deal sheet in time.

It is understood Villa could pay up to £1million for the loan depending on the player’s appearances and other clauses, and the Midlands club have the option to sign Ilori permanently.

Liverpool have been keen for the Portugal U21 international to head out on loan and gain first-team football experience.

With Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho ahead of him in the pecking order at Anfield, Brendan Rodgers feels his development would be helped by playing elsewhere.

The 22-year-old has yet to make a senior appearance for the Reds following his £7m move from Sporting Lisbon two years ago.

Ilori, who has already been sent out on loan twice by Liverpool to Granada and Bordeaux, becomes Tim Sherwood’s 12th signing of the summer at Villa.

Sherwood already has a new-look defence with the signings of Micah Richards, Jordan Amavi and Joleon Lescott from West Brom and the capture of Ilori will give him further options at the back.