Aston Villa

Aston Villa

Premier League • England

Aston Villa announce arrival of versatile ace from Wolves, as new signing relishes fresh challenge at ‘big club’

Leander Dendoncker (pic via Aston Villa FC)

Aston Villa have announced the signing of Leander Dendoncker from fellow Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

A fee was agreed earlier on deadline day for the midfielder to make the switch across the Midlands. Its value has not been confirmed by Aston Villa, but reports earlier suggested it is to the size of £13million.

Aston Villa have not confirmed the length of the contract Dendoncker has signed either. What is clear, though, is that he will wear the number 32 shirt for the club.

Dendoncker is arriving at Aston Villa after making more than 150 appearances for Wolves, across four full seasons and the start of the current campaign.

The 27-year-old told the club’s official website: “I’m very excited to have signed for Villa.

“It’s a new challenge for me. I’m really excited to be here and I’ve already been shown around the training ground.

“I can feel that this a big club, you can just feel it. I obviously know the players from playing against them, and I know it’s a very good team with good players.

“I’m really happy to be here.”

Dendoncker excited to play at Villa Park

Dendoncker had also been linked with Newcastle United and Everton this summer. But he will be continuing his Premier League career at Aston Villa instead.

On the prospect of calling Villa Park his home stadium, he added: “There’s always a great atmosphere there.

“I’ve obviously scored against you guys before and hopefully I’ll be able to score for us now.

“I’ll give my best to try and help the team as much as I can.

“It’s a big stadium with good fans and I’m really excited to get started.”

Aston Villa are the third club Dendoncker will be representing in his career after Wolves and, before them, Anderlecht in his native Belgium.

He is the second new addition to Steven Gerrard’s midfielder of the current transfer window after the capture of Boubacar Kamara earlier in the summer.

Of course, Dendoncker is also capable of playing in defence, which is another area Aston Villa have been looking to reinforce after an injury to recent signing Diego Carlos.

Therefore, he should provide them with quality cover in a couple of key areas of their team.

Aston Villa’s next fixture is at home to Manchester City on Saturday.

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