Aston Villa complete €29m signing of Lucas Digne from Everton

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

The left-back joins in a deal rising to £25 million (€29m) 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.

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“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 1st 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.

Meanwhile Chris Wood has become Newcastle’s second January signing after completing his move from Premier League relegation rivals Burnley.

The 30-year-old New Zealand striker has signed for an undisclosed fee, understood to be in excess of £20million, on a two-and-a-half year-contract and could make his debut in Saturday’s showdown with fellow strugglers Watford at St James’ Park.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe told the club website: “Chris is an important signing for us at a crucial time and I’m very pleased we have been able to move quickly and bring him here.

“He is a very dangerous attacking threat, has a physicality and character that I really like, and he has vast experience in the Premier League. He will be a great fit for us.”

Wood, who has played for Leicester and Leeds among other clubs, moves to Newcastle after four-and-a-half years at Burnley, during which time he scored 49 goals in 144 Premier League appearances.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for me and I’m delighted to be a Newcastle United player,” Wood said.

“I have played at St James’ Park a few times and it’s an amazing place, so to have the chance to represent this club with those incredible supporters behind me and my team-mates is very special.

“The club and manager have been first class during this process, and I really can’t wait to get onto the pitch and repay the faith they have in me, especially with a vital part of the season ahead of us.”