Aston Villa sign former Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka
Aston Villa complete the free transfer of 31-year-old midfielder Leon Goretzka after his contract with Bayern Munich expired.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Aston Villa sign former Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer
- The 31-year-old Germany international joins after eight years with the Bundesliga giants
- The move comes as Villa look to boost midfield options amid injuries and star departures
- Goretzka won seven league titles and the 2020 Champions League during his time in Munich
Aston Villa have completed the signing of former Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer after the 31-year-old left the German club in the summer following an eight-year spell.
The move to the Premier League comes after Villa lost their opening fixture 4-0 against Brighton on Sunday, leaving Unai Emery's side eager to strengthen their midfield following Amadou Onana's knee injury sustained with Belgium at the World Cup, which sidelines him until next year.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"I had a good feeling from the first conversation with the coach. Aston Villa is a really big club."
Leon Goretzka
Reflecting on his arrival, Goretzka expressed that he had a positive feeling from his very first conversation with the manager, describing Aston Villa as a massive club and stating his desire to bring his career experience to help the team reach their goals.
During his tenure with the Bundesliga powerhouse, Goretzka made 312 appearances and scored 51 goals, collecting seven league titles and the Champions League trophy in 2020 alongside 73 international caps and three appearances at the World Cup this summer.
This transfer represents a major career crossroads for Leon Goretzka. After serving as a cornerstone of Bayern's midfield for years, his playing time decreased due to injuries, high wages, and the emergence of academy graduate Aleksandar Pavlovic under manager Vincent Kompany. Joining Aston Villa offers the veteran midfielder a vital platform to revitalize his career in English football.
Goretzka's arrival arrives as Villa navigate a transitional summer after losing several key players, including defender Ezri Konsa to Arsenal for an initial 51 million pounds, forward Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for 117 million pounds, midfielder Youri Tielemans to Manchester United, and left-back Lucas Digne to Paris St-Germain.
Source: BBC Sport
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