Villa in record Kodjia deal
ASTON VILLA have smashed the Championship transfer record for the second time this summer to sign Bristol City striker Jonathan Kodjia in a deal worth up to £17million.
Villa will pay an initial £15m for the Ivory Coast international, 26, and the fee could rise by a further £2m with add-ons. That eclipses the £14m they paid Fulham for Ross McCormack in August and continues the policy of big spending under new Chinese owner Dr Tony Xia. Kodjia signed a four-year deal at Villa before leaving to link up with his country for their 2017 African Nations Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone. Kodjia scored 20 goals in 48 appearances for Bristol City last season.
Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo said: “We are really pleased to have secured the services of Jonathan.
“He is a proven goalscorer and hopefully he’ll play an important part in what we hope will be a successful season for the club.”
Kodjia said: “Villa were in the Premier League last season, it’s important for me, I need to progress my football.”
Villa have spent heavily after relegation last season.
They paid £4.35m for goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini from Verona and £5m for midfielder Aaron Tshibola from Reading. McCormack and James Chester, who cost about £7m from West Brom, followed.
Mile Jedinak came at £4m from Crystal Palace, while Ritchie De Laet arrived for £2m from Leicester.