Aston Villa have announced the signing of Galatasaray forward Nicolo Zaniolo on an initial season-long loan.
The 24-year-old set Villa back €4 million in loan fees while the deal also features a €20m buyout clause plus €7m in various add-ons.
The Super Lig title holders will receive a total package worth around €31m, which is just shy of the player’s €35m release clause, but they stand to make a substantial profit nonetheless.
The Italy international becomes the fourth summer signing to link up with Unai Emery’s squad this summer following the arrivals of Youri Tielemans, Pau Torres and Moussa Diaby.
Having clocked up five goals and an assist in 12 appearances for Galatasaray, Zaniolo will hope to build on his impressive form at Villa Park.
“I’m very happy to be here,” Zaniolo said. “When Monchi called me, I couldn’t wait to be here and to play my first minutes in this shirt for this amazing club.
“Aston Villa is one of the best teams in England and the Premier League. I want to play and show my quality.
“Unai Emery is one of the greatest coaches in the world. And for me, this is a big occasion to show my quality. For the team, it’s a chance to do big things.”
“The Premier League is the most important championship in the world. It was my dream when I was young that one day I would play in the Premier League.
“Now I’m here, and I can’t wait to play.”
Galatasaray have already secured Zaniolo’s replacement, with the Turkish giants swiftly securing a deal for Chelsea outcast Hakim Ziyech.
The Morocco international will become the latest player to join the mass exodus from the club this summer.
Ziyech, who has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge, is only an announcement away from being a Gala player after passing his medicals.
Meanwhile, Villa will now focus on finalising a deal for Sevilla defender Marcos Acuna, who is Emery’s primary target to reinforce the left-back role.
