Villa to leave Rams

Villa: Heading to Mexico

Related links

Teams

• Derby County

Also see

• Transfer Centre
• Clockwatch
• Papers
• Betting

Emanuel Villa has agreed a deal with Mexican club Cruz Azul to bring his 18-month spell with Derby to an end.

Paul Jewell brought the Argentine striker to Pride Park in January 2008 but he failed to keep the club in the Premier League.

He only managed to show glimpses of his best form during Derby's Championship campaign and is now set to leave the club after being told he did not figure in Nigel Clough's future plans.

A statement released by Cruz Azul read: "We have reached an agreement with Derby County of England for the transfer of Emanuel Villa, who will arrive today (Tuesday) to undergo a medical."

Villa has also confirmed the switch is imminent and he is looking forward to playing for the Mexican side.

Good move

He insists it is a good move for his career following a mixed time with the Rams.

"I have been with Derby for a year and a half and I think that I had good and bad moments," he said.

"Now I have been approached by Cruz Azul and I got interested in their project because I think it's ambitious and I like that.

"They told me that they need a striker of my characteristics because I have already played in Mexico so I have accepted."

"In the next hours I will be travelling to Mexico and joining my new team because I have to start to work as soon as possible with my new team mates because the championship begins in July and we have to be all ready.

"I don't think that I am taking a step back leaving England to play in Mexico because I consider the Mexican league as very serious and competitive, especially playing at a team like Cruz Azul."