Aston Villa beat Man Utd to signing of Kamara as they announce deal for Marseille man

Jason Soutar
New Aston Villa signing Boubacar Kamara during a match

Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara on a five-year deal.

Fabrizio Romano revealed on Sunday that the Premier League side had secured the services of the young Frenchman.

Transfer gossip: Spurs want Jesus, Liverpool snubbed, £80m Man United pair for sale

His departure from Marseille was anticipated with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

Numerous clubs were interested in signing Kamara, including Manchester United, but Aston Villa have managed to convince the 22-year-old to move to the Midlands.

Villans boss Steven Gerrard – who Romano claimed was ‘key’ in making the deal happen – told the club’s official website: “I am delighted that we have been able to attract one of the most promising young talents in European football. We have a very clear plan to make our team stronger and Bouba is an important part of that.”

Kamara said: “When I met with Steven, Christian (Purslow) and Johan (Lange) in my home I knew Aston Villa was for me. Their ambition and determination to succeed matches my own. I cannot wait for pre-season to get going.”

The defensive midfielder is valued at £22.5m, as per Transfermarkt, but the Villans have been able to land him on a free transfer.

He made an impressive 170 appearances for Marseille and helped them achieve Champions League football with a second-place finish in Ligue 1 this term.

Kamara is yet to pick up a cap for the French national team but has nine appearances for the under-21s.

Elsewhere, Premier League champions Manchester City have apologised to Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen and vowed to indefinitely ban the fan who attacked the Swede during Sunday’s pitch invasion.

Supporters have run onto the field after a number of recent high-profile EFL and Premier League matches, with a Nottingham Forest fan jailed for 24 weeks after headbutting Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp.

Thousands ran onto the Etihad Stadium pitch after City retained their Premier League crown with Gerrard revealing that Olsen was hurt.

Asked if everyone got off the pitch safely, Gerrard said: “The answer is no.

“My goalkeeper was attacked. I think those questions should go to Pep and Manchester City.”

Aston Villa Boubacar Kamara