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Aston Villa secure fourth summer signing in Olsen

 

Aston Villa’s early summer recruitment has continued with the permanent signing of goalkeeper Robin Olsen from Roma for an undisclosed fee.

Villa boss Steven Gerrard has moved quickly to strengthen his squad ahead of next season, and the 32-year-old Olsen joins Philippe Coutinho, Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos in joining the club.

Olsen spent the second half of the recently-completed season on loan at Villa Park, having started the campaign with Championship outfit Sheffield United, and acted as understudy to Emiliano Martinez.

The Swede, who has been capped 57 times by his country, made his Villa debut on the final day of the Premier League campaign but was mobbed at full-time by Manchester City fans who flooded onto the pitch to celebrate their title win.

Villa, who announced their latest signing on Saturday morning, have not disclosed the length of Olsen’s contract.

One man who has left Villa this summer is assistant first team coach Michael Beale, who has taken up the managerial role with Championship side Queens Park Rangers.

“It’s fantastic to be here,” Beale told www.qpr.co.uk. “I’ve been looking for the right opportunity and I think I have that now – the right club, the right people, the right ambition and the right support.

“I’m a London boy and know everything this club stands for. This is a wonderful opportunity for me and a really good time for the club as well.

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“I’ve been left a solid platform by Mark Warburton, which I’m obviously pleased about, and that enables me to kick on from hereon in.

“I want us to be a front foot and high-intensity team, in and out of possession. I want Loftus Road to be a real cauldron for us – I’ve been to games here and I know just how much the fans can impact the team on the pitch.”

Blackpool manager Neil Critchley has since replaced Beale on Gerrard’s coaching set-up. He also worked with Gerrard in the Liverpool academy.

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