Steven Gerrard ‘excited’ as Aston Villa sign Lucas Digne from Everton

by 24britishtvJan. 13, 2022, 11 p.m. 89
-

Lucas Digne has completed his move to Aston Villa from Everton.

The left-back joins in a deal rising to £25million after falling out with Toffees boss Rafael Benitez.

The French international becomes Villa’s second January signing after Philippe Coutinho’s loan arrival from Barcelona.

Villa boss Steven Gerrard told the club’s official site: “When Lucas became available we jumped at the opportunity to bring him to the club.

“To sign a player of his pedigree and quality in the January window is a great addition to our squad and his arrival excites me and everyone associated with Aston Villa.”

Digne, who moved to Goodison Park from Barcelona in August 2018, said in a post on Instagram on Wednesday evening he has “loved to be a part of the Everton family”.

Benitez confirmed last week the 28-year-old had said he no longer wanted to play for the club.

Digne added: “Only one year ago I signed a new contract with the ambition of staying in this club for a long time, giving everything for my club, for the development and project, that I believed in – and for the passionate fans.

“My dream was helping the club back where it belongs. Wearing the captain’s armband in some matches always made me proud.

“Everything must come to an end. I just did not expect it to end this way. What has happened and some things that was said about me in the last month has made me very sad. But I will not enter a war on words with anyone.”

The defender had not played since the Merseyside derby defeat on December 1 after a fall-out with the manager over tactics and his role in the team.

Benitez was critical of Digne’s attitude, saying: “We are paid big money to do our job and if someone is happy or not happy it is (still) up to you to perform in your job.

“You have to put your interests behind the interests of the club. If you are not thinking about that the priority is you and not the team.”

Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi could yet move to Goodison Park but the deals are not linked.

-

Related Articles

HOT TRENDS

Richarlison had dark thoughts after World Cup

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, 2 a.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Gogglebox star George Gilbey has died aged 40

by 24britishtvMarch 28, 2024, midnight2
HOT TRENDS

Households with washing machine told to stop using two temperatures

by 24britishtvMarch 27, 2024, 11 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Professor T review — Ben Miller’s jailed sleuth evokes Paddington 2

by 24britishtvMarch 27, 2024, 11 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Former England captain Houghton to retire

by 24britishtvMarch 27, 2024, 11 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Professor T, series 3, review: a show as awkward as Ben Miller’s sleuth

by 24britishtvMarch 27, 2024, 10 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Gogglebox's George Gilbey, 40, dies after fall from height

by 24britishtvMarch 27, 2024, 10 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Enhanced Melanoma Vaccine Offers Improved Survival for Men

by 24britishtvMarch 27, 2024, 10 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Melanoma and the Wrong Site

by 24britishtvMarch 27, 2024, 9 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

STOXX Licenses First Crypto Blue Chip Index

by 24britishtvMarch 27, 2024, 9 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Jonathan Gullis's promotion shows just how finished the Tories are

by 24britishtvMarch 27, 2024, 8 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Bradley 'buzzing' with first NI goal in win over Scots

by 24britishtvMarch 27, 2024, 8 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

BNG social takes five year SSA euros to €6.75bn in Easter week

by 24britishtvMarch 27, 2024, 7 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

See why Alan Titchmarsh had his trousers censored while on North Korean TV

by 24britishtvMarch 27, 2024, 7 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

De Bruyne's wife stuns in high-split skirt on night out with fellow Wag

by 24britishtvMarch 27, 2024, 7 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Trump mocks ex-RNC chair Ronna McDaniel for being fired by NBC

by 24britishtvMarch 27, 2024, 6 p.m.2