Villa seal deal for Heskey
Aston Villa sign Wigan Athletic striker Emile Heskey for £3.5 million
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Friday, 23, Jan 2009 10:40
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Wigan Athletic and England striker Emile Heskey for a fee of £3.5 million.
The two clubs agreed a fee for the player earlier today, and after brief negotiations over personal terms it has been announced that the 31-year-old forward has secured his move to the Villans.
Heskey worked with Villa manager Martin O'Neill before when both men were at Leicester City between 1995 and 2000.
And O'Neill said he is "absolutely thrilled" by the capture of the powerful front-man.
"I think Emile will be excellent for us," he told the club's official website.
"I know him from my days at Leicester - he was fantastic for us there.
"He was a young lad then - just a kid - but he did brilliantly."
O'Neill was full of praise for Heskey, who the manager believes has improved significantly since leaving Leicester for Liverpool in an £11 million move almost nine years ago.
"He helped us win the League Cup… and his performances were that brilliant that Liverpool paid £11 million for him," the Ulsterman continued.
"I have kept an eye on his progress since then and I am just delighted to renew acquaintances with him.
"I think he is a better player now. He has a lot of experience and a host of international caps.
"He has also pulled himself round again when he may have perhaps thought his best days were behind him when he left Liverpool.
"He has done fantastically well to fight back, so much so that he is now well and truly in Fabio Capello's thoughts.
"I just think this is the best move for him and for Aston Villa."
Heskey would have been available on a free transfer this summer, when his contract at Wigan was due to expire.
But the player said he was keen to join Villa as soon as possible when he learned of their interest in him.
"I am very excited. It's a big club," he said.
"I am delighted to be here and I can't wait to put on the shirt."
In other news from Villa Park, central defender Martin Laursen has been ruled out for up to eight weeks after undergoing a knee operation.