Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans joins Aston Villa on a free transfer. Villa manager Unai Emery wanted him following Leicester City’s relegation.
Tielemans becomes the next player to leave the club after James Maddison, who have joined Tottenham Hotspur for £40 million. However, more players will leave the club in search for Premier League football.
Out-of-contract Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, is also rumored to join Villa Park this season after spending six years with the Reds.
Tielemans was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal. However, the move did not go through. Other clubs like Tottenham, Manchester United and AS Roma were also interested in the midfielder.
Youri Tielemans joins Aston Villa from Leicester City
The Belgian international is the first signing of the summer for Aston Villa. He joined the Foxes in 2019, and helped them to win the FA Cup in 2021 under Brendan Rodgers.
He also scored the only goal against Chelsea in a 1-0 win to lift the FA Cup. Tielemans played 195 games for Leicester City and also scored 28 goals for them.
The Belgium midfielder joined the Foxes in January 2019 from Monaco on loan. Later his move was made permanent for £40 million. He has also represented Belgium in 2018 and 2022 World Cup, along with Euro 2020.
Leicester City midfielder Tielemans leaves the club after four years
Tielemans thinks that moving to a Big-six club was the right step in his career. Unai Emery wanted to wrap-up his signing to avoid any biding wars.
He said in an interview, “When I had a few chats with the manager, his ambition, his passion and the way he led the team impressed me and made me decide to come to Aston Villa.
“It’s a big club. I’m really excited. It’s a new challenge for me after four-and-a-half years at Leicester.”
After Villa finished 7th in the Premier League, they will play in the European Competition for the first time since 2010 and will look to challenge clubs for European glory.
