Villa’s 29 year old full-back Ritchie De Laet has today completed a loan switch for the remainder of the season.
De Laet, who suffered a campaign ending cruciate ligament knee injury just 3 games into his Villa Park career in 2016, links up immediately with Royal Antwerp.
The likeable Belgian has struggled for game time following the signing of Ahmed Elmohamady from Hull and the resurgent Alan Hutton, featuring just 9 times this term, mostly from the bench.
Despite being one of few to retain any credit in the recent FA Cup defeat to Peterborough, the £2.5 million signing from Leicester will look to find form and favour in the Belgian Pro League.
De Laet’s rejoins Royal Antwerp, where he played until 19 years old, before switches to Stoke and then Manchester United.