Bertrand Traore: Aston Villa sign Lyon forward for £17m

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Traore made 35 appearances for Lyon in all competitions last season, scoring four goals
  • Author, Phil McNulty
  • Role, Chief football writer

Aston Villa have signed forward Bertrand Traore from Lyon in a deal worth £17m.

Traore, 25, returns to the Premier League following three seasons in France.

The Burkina Faso international spent three years at Chelsea and joins up with former team-mate John Terry, who is now assistant coach at Villa Park.

"We're delighted that Bertrand has chosen to come to Villa," Villa manager Dean Smith said.

"He's a player with immense talent who will really enhance our attacking options."

Image source, Aston Villa

Traore is Villa's fourth major summer signing, following the arrival of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal, striker Ollie Watkins from Brentford and right-back Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest.

Villa's spending so far this summer could amount to £83m and while manager Dean Smith remains on the look-out for reinforcements the deal for Traore is likely to represent the end of the major deals in this window unless an unforeseen opportunity presents itself.

Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.