Aston Villa sign striker Ollie Watkins from Brentford for club-record £28m

English Premier League side Aston Villa has signed Ollie Watkins from Championship side Brentford for a club-record fee of £28m, with a possibility that it could rise to £33m with add-ons.

Watkins is a joint top scorer in the last season of the Championship with 26 goals as Brentford went as far as the Championship final against Fulham who won the playoffs final at the Wembley Stadium.

He is the second arrival at the Villa Park this summer after the signing of defender Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest.

According to Dean Smith, Watkins has grown into a player that can add quality into his team.

“Ollie has developed into one of the most sought-after strikers in the country. We are looking forward to seeing him show his great qualities in an Aston Villa shirt. He is a hugely determined character who has both the ability and personality to succeed at the highest level.” Dean Smith was quoted saying.

This is the second time Watkins will be playing under Dean Smith as he first played under him at Brentford where he moved to from Exeter.

Thus, he becomes the player with the highest transfer fee in the Championship despite the fact that Manchester City paid £40m for Nathan Ake to Bournemouth and Newcastle got £30m for Moussa Sissoko in August 2016 from Tottenham but neither of the players played in the Championship.

Ollie Watkins stated his excitement in reuniting with the manager at the Villa Park as he hopes to improve the striking department of Aston Villa which safety in the top flight was only confirmed on the final day of the season.

Aston Villa still posses Kevin Davies and Mbwana Samatta as well as Brazilian striker Wesley who is still recovering from a knee injury.

 
 
Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu