Aston Villa have signed Pau Torres from Spanish club Villarreal as a centre-back.
Torres joins Villa from head coach Unai Emery’s old club for an initial fee of £33 million, the second-highest sum in Villa history, after only the £38 million spent for Emiliano Buendía from Norwich in 2021.
The centre-back, who had one year left on his current contract, made 39 appearances for Villarreal last season and was a member of the Spain side that advanced to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in QatarTorres’ release clause was €70 million (£60.4 million), but it is claimed Villa negotiated arrangements that allow them to pay over a longer period of time, so their initial payment is less than that number.
Unai Emery has been interested in Torres since his return to the Premier League and believes the defender can help take the group to the next level as they seek to consolidateconsolidate their status in European football.Torres was at Villarreal for 21 years, rising through the club’s academy until emerging onto the senior squad and winning the Europa League with Emery in 2021.
Torres was at Villarreal for 21 years, rising through the club’s academy until emerging onto the senior squad and winning the Euro
pa League with Emery in 2021.
