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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Press Association

Former Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar joins AZ Alkmaar until end of season

Ron Vlaar
Ron Vlaar had been a free agent since departing Villa in the summer. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

Former Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar has signed a contract running to the end of the season with his first club AZ Alkmaar.

The 30-year-old had been training with AZ after rejecting a new deal with Villa in the summer and he has now committed his immediate future to the Eredivisie club, subject to passing a medical.

AZ sporting director Max Huiberts told az.nl: “We are very pleased with our capture of Ron Vlaar.

“He gives our squad a huge boost of quality. I don’t need to explain what his strengths are... everybody has seen them over the last few seasons.

“Last year he was a driving force behind the success of Holland at the World Cup. His presence can boost both the performance of the team and the development of other players.”

Centre-back Vlaar joined Feyenoord from AZ in 2006 and moved on to Villa six years, and over 100 appearances, later.

Despite the fact he replaced Stiliyan Petrov as captain, injuries put paid to much of his time at Villa Park but he did manage 34 outings in all competitions during the 2013-14 campaign.

AZ, who are coached by John van den Brom, are currently 10th in the Eredivisie table.

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