Aston Villa Completes £17m Bertrand Traore Signing
Aston Villa has completed the signing of former Ajax and Chelsea striker Bertrand Traore from Lyon in a deal worth £17m. The 25-year-old will be returning to the English Premier League following three seasons in France. The Burkina Faso international spent three years at Chelsea and joins up with former team-mate John Terry, who is now an assistant coach at Villa Park.
According to Aston Villa manager Dean Smith, he said: “We’re delighted that Bertrand has chosen to come to Villa.” The manager also said: “He’s a player with immense talent who will really enhance our attacking options.” Bertrand Traore is Aston Villa’s fourth major summer signing, following the arrival of Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and striker Ollie Watkins from Brentford and right-back Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest.
Aston Villa’s spending so far this summer could amount to £83m and while manager Dean Smith remains on the look-out for reinforcements the deal for Traore is likely to represent the end of the major deals in this window unless an unforeseen opportunity presents itself.