Aston Villa F.C. have completed the signing of defensive midfielder Carlos Sanchez from Liga BBVA side Elche CF for an undisclosed fee.
The Colombia international, 28, has penned a four-year deal with Villa, becoming Villa’s fifth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Aly Cissokho, Joe Cole, Kieran Richardson and Philippe Senderos.
Sanchez, who joins for a believed to be in the region of £4.5 million, provides the Birmingham-based club with a much-needed ‘boss’ in central midfield and will likely feature alongside Ashley Westwood and Fabian Delph in a 4-3-3 formation.
“Carlos is a very experienced professional who played a prominent role in a Colombian team which captured everyone’s imagination at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil. He’s a great coup for Villa,” Lambert told the club’s official website.
“He does the simple things really well and he’s excellent at spotting the danger, dealing with it and keeping it simple.
“His physical strength, too, is something we will benefit from in the middle of the pitch and his role will be a really important one for the team.
“We’ve beaten other teams to bring him here to Villa and I’m delighted as we needed someone of his ilk to come in. He’ll be an excellent player for the Club.”
Sanchez started four matches for Colombia at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil after impressing in 30 La Liga appearances for Elche last term.
The 28-year-old midfielder, dubbed “The Rock,” is absolutely delighted to join Villa ahead of the 2014/15 English Premier League opener at Stoke City, and understandably so.
“I’m delighted to be here, it’s something I have always dreamed of and it is very important for me to be here at Aston Villa, not only for me but for my family as well,” Sanchez said.
“It was always my aim to play in this country and in this league and I know Villa well as Juan Pablo [Angel] also played here.
“I began to watch Villa games when he came in 2001. He was a goalscorer who was very important to this club and I followed his time here because he was always scoring goals.
“Since I was a boy I have always followed English football, particularly teams where Colombians have played. When I had the chance to come to this club I had no doubts because I know this is a big club in the Premier League.
“The most important thing for me was that the manager really wanted me to come here. That was most important in my mind, but I’m very excited also about walking onto the Villa Park pitch and playing in front of our fans.
“I am looking forward to this and I am looking forward to getting to know my teammates. I have a feeling this is a real family club and I am looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere in the dressing room.”
Schneiderlin not for sale
Southampton F.C. manager Ronald Koeman has reiterated star midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is not for sale amid ongoing reports linking the player with a move to Tottenham.
The France international, 24, is wanted by former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino, who is now in charge at White Hart Lane, but Koeman is unwilling to offload his star man.
“He had a very good week of training sessions,” Koeman said. “We know the situation.
“Last week he wasn’t in shape to play, he had a very good week of sessions and that decision will be taken tomorrow – he is not for sale.”
Southampton have already offloaded the likes of Adam Lallana, Calum Chambers, Dejan Lovren, Luke Shaw and Rickie Lambert this summer, but the Dutchman has refused to sell Jay Rodriguez and Schneiderlin.
Meanwhile, Koeman has brought in Dusan Tadic, Florin Gardos, Fraser Forster, Graziano Pelle, Ryan Bertrand (on loan from Chelsea), Saphir Taider (on loan from Internazionale) and Shane Long.
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