Weimann signs for Derby County

Derby County have completed the signing of forward Andreas Weimann from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee.

The Austria international, 23, is looking forward to furthering his career at the Pride Park Stadium and hopes to help lead the Rams to promotion to England’s top-flight next season.

“I’m excited to be here and I’m looking forward to the new challenge,” Weimann told the club’s official website, dcfc.co.uk.

“Derby has plans to be successful and get promoted and that’s what attracted me here; I want to be part of that.

“The opportunity to play first-team football and drive the team to promotion is something that I want to do.

“I know how difficult the Championship is – I’ve played in the league on loan at Watford a few years ago – and it was a tough league back then.

“With the set-up here and the players we have – and those that we are looking to sign – I feel that we have a good chance to get promoted.

“I’ve had chats with the Head Coach and people around the club and it seems it’s an exciting time for Derby County.”

Weimann added: “I was at Aston Villa for eight years so I’m looking forward to this new stage in my career although it will be a bit strange not being there.

“Eight years is a long time, especially in football, so maybe a change will do me good and get me started again.

“I moved over at the age of 15 from Austria and obviously it was hard at first leaving home to move to England, but settled in quite well after a few months.

“I enjoyed playing for Aston Villa and they are a massive club in England, so it wasn’t a hard decision to join the club.

“Playing in the Premier League was an aim of mine so I was delighted to achieve that, hopefully I can do it at Derby County as well.”

Weimann tallied three goals and two assists in 32 English Premier League appearances for Villa in 2014/15.

Watford submit Perotti bid

Newly-promoted Premier League side Watford have reportedly made a club-record bid for Genoa No. 10 Diego Perotti, according to Sky sources.

Perotti, who joined Genoa from Sevilla in a deal worth just £250,000 last summer, has been the subject of reported interest from Internazionale Milano, Valencia and West Ham United in recent weeks.

According to reports, the top-flight newcomers have submitted a bid in the region of £7 million for the Argentine sensation, more than 28 times the fee Genoa paid of the player one year ago.

However, if the Italian Serie A side cash in on the player, Sevilla would be due 20 percent of the transfer fee.

Perotti, 26, bagged four goals and five assists in 27 league appearances for Genoa last season.