Premier League club sign Championship star for record fee
Premier League campaigners Aston Villa completed a club record transfer on Wednesday, signing Brentford striker Ollie Watkins for a reported £28million.
Watkins, 24, was joint top goalscorer in the second-tier Championship last season with 26 goals in a campaign that saw the Bees reach the Championship play-off final.
He has signed a five-year contract and becomes Villa’s second window signing after defender Matty Cash, who was brought in from Nottingham Forest for $A29 million.
“Ollie has developed into one of the most sought-after strikers in the country,” said Aston Villa boss Dean Smith.
“We are looking forward to him showing his qualities in an Aston Villa shirt. He is a hugely determined character.”
The move reunites Watkins with Smith, who was Brentford manager when he joined the London club from Exeter in 2017.
Villa had been looking to bolster their firepower after only securing Premier League survival on the final day of last season.
They had been linked with Callum Wilson prior to his move from Bournemouth to Newcastle earlier this week.
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Watkins said: “I am so excited to join Aston Villa and to reunite with Dean Smith as my head coach.
” I cannot wait to wear the famous claret and blue (Aston Villa kit colours) in the Premier League. I want to do something special here and score some goals.”