Aston Villa have announced the signing of defender Pau Torres from Villarreal, subject to international clearance and a successful visa application.
The length of contract for the 26-year-old has not been disclosed but the Spain international has joined for an undisclosed fee, believed to be worth an initial £33m.
Torres has therefore become Aston Villa's second-most expensive signing in their history behind the £38m transfer of Emiliano Buendia from Norwich City in 2021.
The 6ft 3in left-footed centre-back had been frequently linked with a host of high-profile European clubs in recent years including the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid.
However, Villa boss Unai Emery – who worked with Torres during his time in charge of Villarreal – and newly-appointed president of football operations Monchi have successfully persuaded the defender to make the move to Villa Park.
It's officially official. ✅ pic.twitter.com/i17AfpqgbA
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 12, 2023
Torres becomes Villa's second signing of the summer transfer window following the arrival of midfielder Youri Tielemans on a free transfer at the beginning of this month.
After six years with boyhood club Villarreal, Torres has bid an emotional farewell in a video posted by the Spanish club on Twitter.
"In my head, I'm thinking of many people, employees of the club, many years here, many teammates, many members of different coaching teams," a tearful Torres said as quoted by BirminghamMail.
"Many friends who I've left behind on my way and haven't been able to play with the first team. The journey was really, really beautiful. I don't think it could have been any better. I'm leaving full of pride.
"I think that whenever I have put on the Villarreal shirt I have always tried to play to the best of my ability.
"I am very grateful to the fans because from the very first moment I have felt their affection and they have shown their support for me both as a player and as a person. I will be eternally grateful to them and to the whole club."
𝐏𝐚𝐮 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬, 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞 💛 pic.twitter.com/lh0H4mxbOk
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) July 12, 2023
Torres made a total of 173 appearances for Villarreal in all competitions, scoring 12 goals, and was an integral first-team player who helped the club win the 2020-21 Europa League, beating Man United in the final.
The defender started 34 La Liga games for the Yellow Submarine last season, but he was unable to help the club qualify for next season's Champions League – instead settling for a fifth-placed finish and Europa League football in 2023-24.
Torres now joins a Villa side who will be competing in European competition for the first time in 13 years after finishing seventh in the Premier League under Emery last season to secure Europa Conference League football.
The 23-cap Spain international is set to compete with fellow left-footed defender Tyrone Mings for a place in Emery's starting lineup next season.
Oliver Thomas
