Amadou Onana joins Aston Villa from Everton for £50m as both clubs CONFIRM move of Belgian midfielder
- Amadou Onana has joined Aston Villa from Everton in a deal worth £50million
- The Belgian international, aged 22, departs Goodison Park after two seasons
- He will help replace Douglas Luiz, who signed for Juventus earlier this summer
Amadou Onana has finally completed his move to Aston Villa from Everton, as confirmed by both clubs.
The Belgian midfielder, 22, joins Villa for around £50million as they prepare for their return to Europe’s top table for the first time since 1983 in the Champions League.
He joined Everton in 2022 for £33m and racked up 72 appearances for the side, serving as a key player in their battles against relegation.
Mail Sport reported almost two months ago that Onana was likely to leave Goodison Park this summer amid financial pressures ramping up on the Merseyside club.
Earlier this month Villa’s bid was accepted and Onana agreed personal terms with his new side, though it took a while for the deal to be officially completed.
Amadou Onana has signed for Aston Villa from Everton in a deal worth £50million
The Belgian international leaves Goodison Park after making his name there for two years
Villa have held a longstanding interest in Onana. Other clubs, such as Arsenal and Manchester United, were keen but never stepped up their pursuits. The Gunners made contact over a deal in May but never followed up with an offer.
He will serve as a replacement for Douglas Luiz, who joined Juventus at the end of June for around £42m.
Onana brings international experience, having been capped 17 times for Belgium and appeared at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 with them.
‘Everton thanks Amadou for his service and wishes him well for the future,’ the Toffees wrote.
Plenty of comments under Villa’s announcement post referenced an awkward moment from Onana’s Euros campaign with Belgian.
A reported mistakenly confused him with Manchester Uniteed goalkeeper Andre Onana, prompting the midfielder to say, in a perfect English accent: ‘Andre is not even my name, mate.’
The money generated from selling Onana will put Everton in a stronger position with regards to profit and sustainability rules after having two points deductions for breaching them last season.
It also makes them more equipped to resist Manchester United’s advances for defender Jarrad Branthwaite, for whom they have rejected two offers.
Onana made 72 appearances for Everton and become one of the most wanted midfielders in the Premier League
Unai Emery has led Villa back into Europe’s top competition for the first time since the 1980s
United had an initial offer of £35million plus £8million in add-ons for Branthwaite turned down.
They subsequently returned with a bid of £45million plus £5million in add-ons, which was also rejected.
More to follow.