Glenn Whelan’s long rumoured transfer appears to have come to fruition after the midfielder was spotted at the behind closed door game against Ittihad FC.
Whelan is understood to have undergone a medical on Tuesday (concluding Wednesday), with a delay on announcement likely as a result of the unveiling of Ahmed Elmohamedy from Hull.
Whelan joins Villa in a deal worth £1.5 million from Stoke City, with Bruce having seen a speculative 500k bid rejected earlier. It’s widely reported that the total valuation is a mixture of add-ons, with presumably promotion being the main kicker to the full fee being activated.
Whilst signings such as this don’t necessarily set the world alight, the view on these pages is that Whelan brings attributes we need. Not least when Mile Jedinak stands to be away or the rigours of so many fixtures take their toll.
Whelan, a hugely capped Irish international and Premier League mainstay for Stoke, is a heart on sleeve, never give up and 100% effort brand of footballer.
As stated on the Podcast just last week, there’s certainly a shortfall of this kind of individual at Villa Park. The less obvious, unfashionable, but incredibly effective faces often permit flair players much more freedom.
I dare say in the darkest parts of winter, when Villa are hopefully giving their all in the fight for promotion, that Whelan may be the kind of face your want to see within our ranks.
KEY FACTS:
- Joined Stoke from Sheffield Wednesday in 2008 for 500k
- Secured promotion to Premier League at first attempt.
- 336 Appearances for Stoke.
- 33 years old.
- Irish international. (83 Caps)
- Paul McGrath is his favourite player.
- FA Cup runner up in 2011.
- Position: Midfield.