£8m Engels is summer’s 8th signing!

VILLA have announced the arrival of defender Bjorn Engels from Stade Reims.

the 24-year-old was spotted training with his new teammates in Minnesota and Villa have confirmed the £8m signing.

the Club Brugge graduate played 33 times in Ligue 1 last season and scored once.

It’s believed Villa turned to Engels after being knocked back by Bristol City for £30million-rated Adam Webster.

Smith said: “Bjorn is a player that I’ve been watching for the past 18 months. We’re very happy to have secured his services and look forward to working with him.”

the new arrival added: “I’m very excited and very happy to be here.

“It was always a dream for me to come and play in the Premier League. I’m very excited to start.”

Engels becomes Villa’s eighth summer capture.

Anwar El Ghazi, Kortney Hause and Tyrone Mings have made their loan moves permanent, while Wesley Moraes, Jota, Matt Targett and Ezri Konsa have also joined.

Douglas Luiz is also with the squad ahead of completing a transfer from Manchester City.

Smith has taken an initial 25-man squad to the US for Villa’s pre-season tour.

the head coach has called up a number of youngsters, including Callum O’Hare.

the 21-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at League Two Carlisle and made a big impression.

Another local lad, Jack

Clarke, has been given a chance, and livewire forward Rushian Hepburn-Murphy is also in the States.

Scott Hogan has been heavily linked with a move away but the striker has made the trip, as has Croatian goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic.

Ahmed Elmohamady and Jonathan Kodjia have been given extra time off due to their involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations.