Bouma to leave Aston Villa

Aston Villa have confirmed Dutch defender Wilfred Bouma will leave the club when his contract expires this summer.

The 31-year-old has been struggling with a series of niggling injuries during his recent years at Villa Park.

“Freddie epitomises the kind of qualities we associate with top Dutch players and he has been really unfortunate to have been sidelined because of injury,” Villa manager Martin O’Neill told the club’s official website.

“That came as a real blow because, as a player, I have the utmost regard for him and he has been a totally positive influence at the club throughout my time here.

“He has fought back strongly to get himself fit again and he really wants to get back to the level of which he is undoubtedly still capable, so he wants to take this opportunity to do that and I wish him only the best.”

[Source: Aston Villa’s official website]