Young Completes Villa Move

Watford Football Club has today (Tuesday) confirmed that striker Ashley Young has been transferred to Aston Villa for an initial fee of £8m rising by a further £1.65m, payable should certain targets be met.

The 21-year-old leaves Vicarage Road after making a total of 110 senior appearances for the Golden Boys, during which he scored 22 goals (98 league games and 19 goals) and has signed a five-year contract with Martin O'Neill's side.

Speaking of Young's departure manager, Aidy Boothroyd said,

"Aston Villa will not just be getting a very talented player but also a fine young man.

He has dealt with this whole situation fantastically and it only adds to my impression of him. I could go on and on saying good things about Ashley and I really do wish him the best of luck.

Ashley will be moving on to a bigger club and they will be getting a player who I expect to be pushing on and continuing to improve."

The Stevenage born front man, who netted 15 times for Watford as they gained promotion last season, was quick to speak of his affection for a club he joined as a boy before preparing for a new life in the Midlands,

"Watford means a lot to me. I've been here since I was ten and come all the way through the ranks to get to the first team.

I've enjoyed everything I've done here, every year has been a different challenge and I just want to thank everybody for all the help and support I've had at this club."

The transfer fee received is a record for Watford, and is potentially the most Aston Villa has ever invested in a player.