Following a successful medical and meeting with Sporting Director Johan Lange in Copenhagan last week, Traore had returned to France to await the outcome of a work permit application.
With the formalities completed, the club have now confirmed that the Lyon forward will join immediately on a deal reported to be worth up to £19m. Initially Villa will pay £17m, with £2m in potential add-ons outstanding to his former club.
Traore has enjoyed 3 good seasons in France after struggling to break through as a youngster at Chelsea. The 25 year old is well known to John Terry, Villa’s assistant, and has already remarked how he returns to the Premier League a more developed and complete footballer.
“I think I’m coming back [to the Premier League] as a better player, with more experience, and this is the right place for me to come back.”
Bertrand Traore – AVFC Twitter
The forward arrives at Villa Park with a decent CV but more importantly, the top level experience Dena Smith need to improve the squad. It was a narrow escape from relegation last term, but the clubs survival and subsequent summer recruitment must now be the catalyst to kick on.
Whilst stints at Chelsea and Ajax can arguably be considered development years for Traore, his time at Lyon saw the Burikina Faso international regularly competing at the top level of the domestic and European game. He arrives at Villa Park both in his prime and with something perhaps to prove.
Traore’s deal now pushes Villa’s financial spend to over £80m during this summer transfer window, having already secured the signatures of Ollie Watkins, Matty Cash and Emi Martinez.
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I know some fans will hve had their own preferences and wish lists but for me this is a great signing. Fast, tricky, great shot on him, 10 years of experience in international football, experience playing in top European leagues and the Champions League, has lived in England before, knows English football… and he’s still only 25.
He will most likely be competing with Trezeguet for the right side of our front three but is more than capable of playing through the middle as well – like Ollie Watkins, he can cover a number of positions up front so he will improve our attacking options considerably.
I’m expecting him to settle and adapt quickly. He knows the way we play, knows Terry and has played with Nakamba and El Ghazi… he should be a great fit.