Sunday 10 July 2016 14:04, UK
Aston Villa have completed the signing of midfielder Aaron Tshibola from Reading on a four-year contract.
The 21-year-old is the third new arrival at Villa Park this summer following on from Tommy Elphick and Pierluigi Gollini.
Tshibola, whose undisclosed transfer fee was agreed between the clubs last week, has already flown out to Austria to link up with the Villa squad as they prepare for the 2016/17 Sky Bet Championship campaign.
Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo said on his club's website: "I am very happy that Aaron has joined.
"He's a highly-rated and well respected young player who will provide us with plenty of energy, courage and determination in the middle of the park.
"I am confident he will be a tremendous addition to our squad for the very important new season - and beyond."
Tshibola came through the Reading Academy and had been with the club for eight years apart from a four-month loan spell at Hartlepool in the second half of the 2014/15 season.
He made 17 appearances for the Royals but was hampered by ankle and hamstring injuries last season.
"Aaron made it clear to us that he wanted to leave this summer, explaining he felt his career lay elsewhere," said chief executive Nigel Howe in a statement on Reading's website.
"We negotiated with a number of interested clubs and rejected a number of bids which fell below our valuation of the player as part of that negotiation process. However, we have now reached an agreement with Aston Villa which we believe represents good value for our football club.
"We will continue to support the new manager as he looks to further strengthen his first team squad in the coming weeks. And, of course, we would like to wish Aaron the very best of luck in the future."
