Bailey to stay at Villa
LEON BAILEY’S adoptive father and agent, Craig Butler, has confirmed that the Jamaican international has reached a verbal agreement with English Premier League club Aston Villa on a new three-year contract.
Butler said the contract will also include an option to renew the agreement further down the line.
“The new contract, not a contract extension, which has been negotiated, will be until 2027 with an option to renew.”
This contract comes on the back of Bailey’s impressive form this season with the Birmingham-based club, as the winger has proven to be a reliable goal source for his team.
With Aston Villa sitting fourth in the table, Bailey has contributed with seven goals and six assists in 21 appearances in the league, and an overall return of 10 goals and nine assists in 31 appearances in all competitions so far.
PERMANENT DEAL
Bailey joined Villa in a permanent deal from German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen back in 2021, and has seen a revival in form after the Jamaican had a slow start to life in England. During an injury-riddled campaign, Bailey would only hit the back of the net once in his first season in the Premier League.
However, Butler said that, despite Bailey’s low output in his first season at Aston Villa, he had never lost faith in the player’s ability to adapt to the Premier League.
“The fact is, I have never wavered in my confidence with my client,” he said. “Many times throughout this period of time when Leon didn’t perform at his best or got an injury, many people would like to call him a flop. I remember distinctly standing up for him and saying that he will shine, and, if you believe in someone, you never stop believing in them. Today, he has rewarded himself by putting in all the hard work,” Butler said.
Aston Villa are currently in the race for an automatic qualifying spot for the UEFA Champions League, and Butler believes Bailey will play an important role in the club’s aspirations.