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Skysports.com can confirm Aston Villa have agreed a deal to sign Dutch starlet Arsenio Halfhuid.

As revealed by skysports.com last month Villa were lining up a move for the Excelsior defender as they looked to beat a host of other clubs to his signature.

Halfuid, who began his education at Feyenoord's youth academy, has impressed at Excelsior and Villa have moved quickly to lure him to Villa Park.

The 17-year-old, who is the cousin of former Chelsea and Southampton defender Ken Monkou, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Villa and he will join the club's youth team as he is seen as one very much for the future

Agent Dan Fletcher, who brokered the deal on behalf of Villa, admitted Halfhuid is excited at the prospect of continuing his education at Villa.

"Arsenio's thrilled to be at such a great club, it's all happened so quickly for him, but that's the way football is sometimes," Fletcher told skysports.com.

"He's signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Villa.

"A lot of Dutch clubs are wondering how they've missed Arsenio. Credit to Aston Villa for keeping their interest in him quiet and making their move so quickly.

"His cousin played for Chelsea and Southampton, and will be able to offer him lots of valuable advice about playing in England, and Arsenio's very much hoping that he can emulate him"

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