Ings goes from life as Saint to Villan
ASTON VILLA have signed striker Danny Ings from Southampton for an undisclosed fee.
The 29-year-old has agreed a three-year contract and arrived on the same day Villa announced the signing of forward Leon Bailey on a deal running until 2025.
Villa boss Dean Smith said: “Danny is an outstanding Premier League footballer who has scored goals wherever he has played.
“He is also a top professional with a great character who will be a leader in our squad and a role model for our rapidly developing young academy players who are now in and around the first team.
“I am delighted to welcome Danny to our great club.”
Ings, who scored 13 goals for Saints last season, joins fellow summer recruits Bailey, Emi Buendia and Ashley Young at Villa Park.
However, Villa are braced to lose captain Jack Grealish to Manchester City.
Jamaica international Bailey, 23, completed a move from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported fee of about £30million.
Smith said: “Leon is a hugely exciting young striker with great pace and creativity.
“He has enjoyed a successful career at Leverkusen and we are now looking forward to watching him show his skills and talents for Aston Villa in the Premier League.”
Bailey scored 39 goals in all competitions during his three-and-a-half years at Bundesliga side Leverkusen, and is now relishing the challenge of the English top flight.
“It’s a great club with a big history and it’s the right step for me. I’m excited to get started,” he said. “The Premier League has always been somewhere I’ve wanted to
play. Now is the right time.”