Aston Villa signed Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton in a deal worth a reported £50 million ($64 million) on Monday.
Onana agreed a five-year contract with Villa, who had been searching for a replacement for Douglas Luiz after the Brazilian’s move to Juventus.
The 22-year-old failed to make an impact at Everton after arriving from Lille two years ago.
But, after featuring for Belgium at Euro 2024, Onana has been given the chance to revive his Premier League career by Villa boss Unai Emery.
“Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Amadou Onana from Everton,” the club said on their website.
Capped 17 times by Belgium, Onana made 72 appearances for Everton, scoring four goals.
He joins Villa with the club looking forward to their first Champions League campaign since 1983 after last season’s fourth-place finish in the Premier League.
It has been a busy close season for Emery, who had already signed Ross Barkley from Luton, Juventus duo Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea, Sheffield United’s Cameron Archer, Ian Maatsen from Chelsea, former Hull winger Jaden Philogene and Everton’s Lewis Dobbin.
Both Villa and Everton have been juggling their squads in a bid to stay within the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
Hojbjerg Leaves Spurs for Marseille
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has joined Olympique de Marseille on loan with an option to buy, both clubs said on Monday.
While financial details were not disclosed by either club, British media reported that Marseille have agreed to pay around 16 million pounds ($21 million) for the 28-year-old, who has a year left on his contract with Spurs, if they opt to make the move permanent.
The Danish international has made 184 appearances and scored 10 goals for the North London club. He joined Spurs in 2020 after a four-year spell at Southampton, having previously played for Bayern Munich.
Hojbjerg slipped down the pecking order at Spurs last season, with Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur favoured in midfield.
Marseille, who appointed former Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi as head coach last month, begin their Ligue 1 campaign at Brest on Aug. 18. They have also signed former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Stay updated with the latest from Paris Olympics 2024. Explore Paris Olympics 2024 events today. Check the updated list of medal tally for Paris Olympics 2024. Check Paris Olympics 2024 event results.
