Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of the midfielder Emiliano Buendía from Norwich for a club record £30m plus add-ons that could take the fee to £40m.
Buendía was Norwich’s player of the season as they won the Championship last season, scoring 15 goals and registering 16 assists. He has signed a five-year deal after completing his medical and finalising terms following Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Colombia.
“Emiliano is equally capable as a wide attacker or as a No 10 and is a great addition to our attacking options,” Dean Smith, the head coach, told Villa’s website. “We are delighted to have made such an exciting signing so early in the summer and look forward to Emi joining up with us for a full pre-season.”
Norwich signed the playmaker from the Spanish club Getafe for about £1.6m in 2018. Their sporting director, Stuart Webber, said once Buendía had his heart set on a move and Villa came up with the right deal, the club were “left with little option” but to sanction the transfer.
“Whilst we are disappointed to have lost a fantastic player, we should take a moment to be proud of the journey that both Emi and the club have been on,” Webber told the club’s website.
