Villa confirm record signing of Wesley

VILLA have confirmed the signing of Brazilian striker Wesley Moraes for a club-record fee, believed to be worth around £22million.

A deal for the 22-year-old was agreed last month with Club Brugge and formalities of the transfer are now complete after he was granted a work permit.

Moraes is set to join up with Dean Smith’s squad as they prepare for life back in the Premier League following promotion via the play-offs. Villa have already brought in the likes of Jota, Anwar El Ghazi, Kortney Hause and Matt Targett as the club reshape the squad.

Moraes, who scored 14 goals for the Belgian side last season, is confident he can make an impact in the English top flight.

“I was very happy when I heard that Aston Villa were interested in me – and for a record fee,” said the Brazilian.

“I’m just hoping that now I’ll be able to show why out on the pitch.

“I’m hoping to settle in quickly so I can help the team win trophies and rise up the table.

“For me the Premier League is a real stage – a great division. I’m hoping I can adapt quickly and show what I’ve got to offer.” myself as a Premier League player, take this football club as far as it can go,’’ said Targett.

“It’s massive for the club when you have two good players at each position, so we will be pushing each other as far as we can go and competition for places is only healthy.”

Smith said: “We’re very pleased to have Matt join us. He’s a player we have been looking at for a considerable amount of time.

“He fits our criteria of being a young player with experience of playing in the Premier League and having the potential to develop further.

“He will help make us a stronger defensive unit and we are all looking forward to working with him.”

Smith is expected to continue reinforcing his defence, with moves for Adam Webster and Tyrone Mings still high on his list of priorities.