Aston Villa have completed the signing of winger Adama Traore from Barcelona, whom reserve a buyback option, for €12m.
The winger, who had also been linked fellow Premier League sides with Liverpool and Stoke City, will has put pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Villans, although La Blaugrana can repurchase him in each of the next three summers.
“It’s an honour for me to come here,” he told Villa’s official website.
“It’s a club that showed interest in me from the first moment and made me feel important in terms of their project.
“I have spoken to the manager [Tim Sherwood] and have a very good impression of him and what he wants from me. All this have made this club my top attraction.
“I would also like to express my gratitude to everyone at FC Barcelona for helping me develop as a player and as a person.”
A statement on Barca’s website read: “Barcelona and Aston Villa have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Adama Traore for €10m plus €2m in variables.
“Barcelona reserve the right to repurchase [Adama] during the three first years of his contract and the right of first refusal to a possible future transfer.
“We wish to publicly express our gratitude to Adama Traore for his professionalism and dedication throughout his time at the club and wish him all the best for the future.”
Adama, 19, made 63 appearances for Barca B, having progressed through the club’s youth system, but had been expected to leave Catalonia following the team’relegation to Segunda B.
Image courtesy avfc.co.uk
