Wednesday, 1st August, 2012
Aston Villa have completed their summer long pursuit of Feyenoord defender Ron Vlaar. The player has penned a three-year deal with the Villans which will see him at the club until 2015. A deal for the 27-year-old looked unlikely at one stage after talks broke down between the Dutch and the English outfits.
After due deliberation, Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert reignited his interest in the centre-back by submitting a €4M bid however, which paved the way for Vlaar’s medical on 30th July while the transfer was officially announced today.
The defender spoke of his delight at having completed his move from Feyenoord and stated that it was a ‘dream come true’ for him.
“I am very happy to be here and I am really excited about getting started," insisted Vlaar.
"This is a dream come true for me. With my past, I am very proud, but I always look forward and this is a great opportunity. I am very happy that Villa have given me this chance”, explained the Dutchman while speaking to the club’s official website.
"I am 27 years old and I know my best years are ahead of me. I feel fit and strong and I am very much looking forward to playing my first game”, the Dutch international added. The centre-back expressed a desire to develop a strong bond with the Lions fans – a relationship similar to the one he enjoyed with Feyenoord supporters during his seven years at the club.
“Over time I hope my relationship with the fans at Villa becomes the same as it was at Feyenoord. I was at Feyenoord for seven years and the fans were good for me. It would be great to experience the same here and I will strive to achieve this”, said the 27-year-old.
Lambert also expressed his delight at having captured the signature of the Feyenoord man and insisted that the player should be an instant hit in the Premier League.
“He’ll bring something to the club, no doubt about it", said the former Norwich boss.
“Ron is a really good defender and he has a wealth of experience for both Holland and a big football club in Feyenoord, so I’m delighted we have got him here to Villa.”
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