Aston Villa have capped off a busy day of transfer signings with the arrival of Ross Barkley from Luton Town.
Barkley, who spent the 2020/2021 season on loan at Villa, became the club’s third new signing on Monday after Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea from Juventus.
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The duo were part of the deal that saw Douglas Luiz sign for the Italian giants for just under £44 million (€50 million).
And Villa have since announced the signing of Barkley, who was heavily linked with a return to the Birmingham club following Luton’s relegation last season.
Villa fans know Barkley well, having joined on loan from Chelsea in September 2020 for the season.
On his debut, he played a key role in the famous 7-2 win over Liverpool, scoring a goal and combining superbly with Jack Grealish, who scored two goals, and Ollie Watkins, who scored a hat-trick.
A statement on Villa’s website read: “Aston Villa are delighted to announce the signing of Ross Barkley from Luton Town.
“Barkley returns to Villa Park permanently after enjoying a loan spell in claret and blue during the 2020/21 season.
“He began his career at Everton, rising through the ranks at Goodison Park before being signed by Chelsea in 2018.
“The midfielder has played 33 international matches for England and has also played for OGC Nice in France.”
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Although Villa was able to make numerous new signings at the beginning of the month, the company had already confirmed two transfers previously.
Ian Maatsen joined from Chelsea for £37.5m last month to bolster the defence after helping Borussia Dortmund reach the Champions League final last season.
Aston Villa’s young star Omari Kellyman moved to Stamford Bridge for a transfer fee of £19 million.
A deal was also completed for promising talent Lewis Dobbin from Everton, while Tim Iroegbunam went the other way.
In addition to Luiz and Iroegbunam, Villa also had to send Morgan Sanson to OGC Nice, where he spent last season on loan.