Idrissa Gueye has completed his long-awaited move to Aston Villa from LOSC Lille, the clubs have confirmed. Gueye, 25, joins from the French club on a four-year deal - with the fee for his services believed to be £9million.
In 2010, Gueye made his debut for the Lille first team. He played alongside Eden Hazard and Yohan Cabaye, as they clinched the title in his debut campaign. He has since went on to make 134 appearances for Les Dogues.
The Senegalese international is known for his dynamism and for the way he plays with the ball firmly at his feet. This, along with his energy, makes him a real capture for Villa.
Manager Tim Sherwood said he was "really pleased" to have sealed the signature of the box-to-box midfielder. He described Gueye as "one of the best young midfielders in France".
Sherwood went on to say he believed that he had signed a player who was "hungry to succeed" and was entering "his best years", with his traits "perfectly suited" to the English game.
Revolving doors at Villa Park
It is proving to be a busy summer at Villa Park with Sherwood clearing the decks while bringing in new blood.
This summer has seen Villa let nine players go already. Darren Bent, Andreas Weimann, and Shay Given are amongst the first-team players allowed to leave.
Gueye becomes Villa's third signing of the window, after the capture of Micah Richards on a free transfer from Manchester City and the permanent signing of Scott Sinclair, also from the Citizens.
Other reports are linking Villa with numerous players. Gueye's Lille team-mate Jordan Amavi and Swedish international, Alexander Milosevic, are both amongst a handful of players linked with the Birmingham-based side.
Villa fans will see Gueye as the direct replacement for Fabian Delph who is expected to sign for Manchester City in the next day.