Aston Villa Sign Portuguese Goalkeeper Andre Moreira

Young Portuguese goalkeeper Andre Moreira has signed on a one-year loan deal from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.

Words by Regan Foy (@FindFoy) // Follow us on Twitter (@claretandview)

Aston Villa have signed Atletico Madrid Goalkeeper Andre Moreira on a season long loan deal, according to the Mirror.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper was rumoured to have been seen at the West Ham United game at the Banks’s Stadium, with some fans even saying he was sat watching with his agent. He’d have seen a relatively unflattering performance from Jed Steer too.

According to the Mirror, the move came from Steve Bruce and was sanctioned by new owners Nassef Sawiris.

The goalkeeper has had a number of loans across Portugal after Atletico Madrid signed him in 2014, seeing him play in the Liga Nos for Uniao Madeira and Belenenses – whilst also spending seasons at Moreirense and Braga where he didn’t play.

Andre Moreira has also represented the Portugal youth set up from U19 level up to U21.

Interestingly, as reported by 7500 to Holte,  Andre Moreira is represented by the Gestifute Agency, owned by one Jorge Mendes. Mendes has come under fire recently for his involvement in Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest – with both sides targeting a host of Portuguese talent since their respective take-overs.

Could we be about to see Mendes involve himself in another Championship club? And does his involvement lie with the owners of these clubs, or elsewhere?

It’s unknown as to whether Andre Moreira will be signing to take the number one spot, or whether he’ll be providing competition for the injury-prone Jed Steer who has started in all of the pre-season friendlies.

As it’s the first bit of transfer news from the club – which indecently hasn’t been confirmed by Aston Villa – it’s unknown as to where the club will be looking to strengthen from here on out. Fans were clamouring for a new goalkeeper after Sam Johnstone’s departure and Steer’s display against a strong West Ham side – so if Andre Moreira is set to sit between the sticks this season, the club are on their way to answering calls from the fans.