Aston Villa sign James Chester from West Bromwich Albion
Aston Villa have completed the signing defender James Chester from West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee.
The defender has penned a four-year deal at Villa Park after just one season at The Hawthorns.
Transfer news: James Chester has joined us on a four year deal. #AVFC #WelcomeJames pic.twitter.com/trh13GITyG
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 12, 2016
Villa are rebuilding following their relegation from the Premier League but have lost their opening two games this season.
Wales defender Chester fills the gap left by Ciaran Clark, who joined Newcastle for £5m, with Joleon Lescott unlikely to have a future under Roberto Di Matteo.
The defender joined West Brom from Hull in an £8 million deal last summer but failed to force his way into Tony Pulis’ team at the Hawthorns making just 19 appearances and starting nine Premier League matches.
Chester, 27, becomes Villa’s fifth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Tommy Elphick, Pierluigi Gollini, Aaron Tshibola and Ross McCormack.
West Brom boss Tony Pulis had earlier wished Chester, who impressed for Wales at Euro 2016, well at his new club after he failed to secure a regular starting spot for the Baggies following his £8m switch from Hull City last summer.
Pulis said: “Great lad, great for us and great Euros. [But] he wanted to play regular football [and it’s] a good deal for James and for us, as long as we can reinvest.
“It just didn’t work out and sometimes that’s the way it is. We’ve shaken hands, it’s a clean cut, and we move on.”
