Aston Villa have completed the signing of Burkina Faso international Bertrand Traore from French Ligue One side Lyon.
The English Premier League side, in an official statement, confirmed that the striker has penned a four-year-deal with the Lions.
According to sources, the deal is worth £17m plus £2m in add-ons, and is subject to international clearance.
The 25-year-old has experience in premiership football having turned for Chelsea before moving to France three seasons ago.
“We’re delighted that Bertrand has chosen to come to Villa,” said Villa boss Dean Smith. “He’s a player with immense talent who will really enhance our attacking options.”
At Lyon, the Burkinabe endured tough moments in his last season as he featured in 35 matches, netting four goals and providing five assists in all competitions.
He mainly convinced in his first season, when he scored 18 goals and assisted a further seven in 43 games in all competitions.
Having sealed his move back to English Premier League, Traore revealed his glowing references from friends already at the club helped play a part in his arrival.
The forward has previously played alongside John Terry at Chelsea, Marvelous Nakamba at Dutch side Vitesse and Anwar El Ghazi at Ajax.
“I’m very happy to join Aston Villa,” he told VillaTV in his first interview.“I’m happy to be here.”
Traore added: “I played with JT at Chelsea, I spoke to him.I spoke to the Manager, spoke with the Sporting Director as well and some players I used to play with – Nakamba and El Ghazi.
“I spoke to Nakamba, I talked to him a little bit about the club. Many things made me take the decision to come here.”
Traore joined Lyon from Chelsea three seasons ago after having only made 16 senior appearances for Chelsea, scoring four goals in the process
“I’m excited to be back (in England),” Traore said.”I always wanted to come back to the Premier League.
“I had to follow my own way as well and gain some more experience. I think it is the right time to come back.
“I think I’m coming back as a better player, with more experience. And this is the right place for me to come back. It’s good.”
