Wednesday 31 August 2016 08:46, UK
Aston Villa have signed striker Jonathan Kodjia from Bristol City for £15m, a Championship record fee.
The signing of Kodjia is more than the previous Championship record, Villa's signing of Ross McCormack for £12m, potentially rising to £14m.
Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo told Aston Villa's official website: "We are really pleased to have secured the services of Jonathan.
"He is a proven goalscorer and hopefully he'll play an important part in what we hope will be a successful season for the club."
Bristol City chief operating officer Mark Ashton said: "We want to build the club in the right way and we've had a very active and positive summer in the transfer market.
"We've continually told Jonathan that we don't want him to go, but recently he's made it clear that he's aware of the interest of other clubs and that he wanted to leave.
"After lengthy discussions with (head coach) Lee Johnson, the board and importantly (majority shareholder) Steve Lansdown, we felt that if we got the right offer we would allow him to leave.
"We have turned down several bids from other Championship clubs and also clubs in the Premier League.
"On Saturday night I spoke to Aston Villa and explained to them our detailed valuation and payment terms. Villa agreed to match those terms and subsequently permission was given for Jonathan to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.
"This is the largest fee this club has ever received and once again shows how far we are progressing and the high regard in which our players are held.
"Due to the high profile nature and speculation surrounding the deal we have chosen to disclose the fee. We will receive a total of £11m guaranteed, which has the potential to rise to £15m. In addition, we have retained a sell-on clause for a percentage of any future profit."
Sky sources understand Villa have signed the Ivory Coast international after failing to agree personal terms with Hull striker Abel Hernandez.
Bristol City have fended off the interest from two unnamed Premier League and two Championship clubs.
The striker was signed from Angers last summer for £2m after he scored 15 goals in 28 appearances when the French club were in Ligue 2.
Previously, the 26-year-old was contracted to Reims from 2008 to 2014, having loan spells at Cherbourg, Amiens, and Caen.
Kodjia scored 19 times in the Championship for the Robins last season. His league form led to him making his international debut for Ivory Coast in May, and he scored his first international goal against Gabon in June.
