Aston Villa have completed the signing of centre-back from Pau Torres from Spanish side Villarreal.
Torres arrives from head coach Unai Emery’s former club in a deal that will cost an initial £33m, the second-highest fee in Villa’s history behind only the £38m paid for Emiliano Buendia from Norwich in 2021.
The centre-back, who had one year remaining on his existing contract, made 39 appearances for Villarreal last season and was part of the Spain squad which reached the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Torres had a release clause of €70m (£60.4m) but it’s understood Villa have negotiated terms to suit them paying over a longer period of time, so their initial payment falls below that figure.
Unai Emery has been keen on Torres since his return to the Premier League and believes the defender can help take the squad to the next level as they look to cement their position of playing European football.
Torres was associated with Villarreal for 21 years, coming through the club’s academy before breaking into the first team and forming part of the side which won the Europa League under Emery in 2021.
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