ASTON VILLA have completed their £26million move for Sevilla defender Diego Carlos.
The Brazilian defender, 29, was a January transfer target for Newcastle.
But Steven Gerrard has beaten Eddie Howe to the punch as he gets his transfer dealings done nice and early ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Carlos – who will rake in £100,000 a week at Villa Park – becomes the club’s THIRD signing following the end of last season.
The defender joins Boubacar Kamara at Aston Villa, with Philippe Coutinho’s loan deal from Barcelona made permanent.
Carlos told Villa’s official website: “I am really happy because the Premier League is one of the best competitions.
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“I always want to do the best for the club and the shirt I’m wearing.
“Even now I can’t believe I’m here because it’s a dream to compete in the Premier League.
“And now I have a very clear opportunity, I hope to give it 100 per cent my best, and to be able to play to the best of my ability.”
Gerrard is clearly keen to avoid any late-summer panic buys as he bids to improve on his disappointing debut season in the Midlands.
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After moving south of the border from Rangers, Villa were only able to finish 14th in the standings – down from 11th a year earlier.
Newcastle had led the race for Carlos throughout the winter window.
But the newly-rich Toon were knocked back time and time again by Sevilla, eventually giving up after seeing a £25m bid rejected.
Sevilla were locked in a race to shock Real Madrid to win the Spanish top-flight at the time and refused to sell for less than £40m.
But after their title charge faded, the club are now happy to cash-in on the centre-back and have accepted a £26m offer from Villa.
There are likely to be more signings on the horizon too, with Atletico Madrid star Luis Suarez tipped to reunite with Gerrard in the Midlands.
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Villa are also said to be interested in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after the midfielder was put up for sale by Liverpool.
Gerrard could also make another defensive signing in the form of free agent James Tarkowski, though Everton are also sniffing around the defender following Burnley’s relegation to the Championship.
