French international defender Lucas Digne has signed for Aston Villa from Everton for a fee believed to be in the region of £25 million.
The left back has become Steven Gerrard's second acquisition in Birmingham after playmaker Philippe Coutinho joined the club.
He had three and a half years left on his Everton contract, but fell out with Rafael Benitez.
Gerrard told the Villa club website that snapping up Digne was a no brainer.
“When Lucas became available we jumped at the opportunity to bring him to the club.
“To sign a player of his pedigree and quality in the January window is a great addition to our squad and his arrival excites me and everyone associated with Aston Villa.”
It's expected Digne will provide competition for Matt Targett in the Villa defence.
Benitez had said that Digne wanted to leave Goodison Park.
"We are paid big money to do our job and if someone is happy or not happy it is (still) up to you to perform in your job," said Benitez.
"You have to put your interests behind the interests of the club. If you are not thinking about that the priority is you and not the team."
For his part, Digne has explained his side of the story to the Everton supporters via an Instagram post.
“Only one year ago I signed a new contract with the ambition of staying in this club for a long time, giving everything for my club, for the development and project, that I believed in – and for the passionate fans.
“My dream was helping the club back where it belongs. Wearing the captain’s armband in some matches always made me proud. Everything must come to an end. I just didn’t expect it to end this way.”
Villa will be hoping Digne and Coutinho can improve their Premier League position.
They lie in 14th place, a spot above Everton.
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