Aston Villa Completes Ollie Watkins Signing
Aston Villa has completed the signing of Brentford striker Ollie Watkins for a club-record fee of £28m, which could rise to £33m with add-ons. Watkins was the Championship’s joint-top scorer last season with 26 goals. The 24-year-old is Villa’s second signing of the transfer window following the £16m arrival of defender Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest.
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith commenting on the striker said:”Ollie has developed into one of the most sought-after strikers in the country.” “We are looking forward to seeing him show his great qualities in an Aston Villa shirt. “He is a hugely determined character who has both the ability and personality to succeed at the highest level.”
Watkins will be reunited with Smith, who signed the forward from Exeter when he was Brentford manager. The fee for him is a record for a Championship player. Although Manchester City paid Bournemouth £40m for Nathan Ake last month and Tottenham spent £30m on Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko in August 2016, neither had played in the Championship before moving back to the Premier League.
According to Watkins, he said: “I am so excited to join Aston Villa and to reunite with Dean Smith as my head coach.” “I want to do something special here and score some goals.” Smith had been determined to improve his striking options after his side only secured Premier League safety on the final day of last season.
