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Reims defender Bjorn Engels is set to be revealed as an Aston Villa player within the next 72 hours.
Words by Regan Foy |@FindFoy
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Belgian defender Björn Engels is set to be announced as an Aston Villa player within the next 72 hours, we understand, with French news outlet L’Equipe stating that it could even happen today.
The 24-year-old, who joined Reims on loan last season from Olympiakos, before making his deal permanent within the same season, will be joining the newly minted Premier League side for a deal thought to be between €8,000,000 and €9,000,000. That means that Reims will be making double what they paid for him recently – almost like the Benik Afobe deal that saw the forward sign for Wolverhampton Wanderers before departing on a obligation-to-buy deal to Stoke City.
The Reims fans and board are not happy to be losing the talented centre-back, who also appeared at defensive midfield for Reims, but are keeping good on a promise made to Engels when he signed.
The promise in question was a verbal one, allowing him to move if a Premier League club was in waiting for his signature – due to his British partner hailing from Liverpool.
Björn has impressed in his first season in Ligue 1, and whilst he might take a little while to embed himself into English football, the almost 6ft 4″ Belgian could make a perfect partner to Tyrone Mings in the heart of the Aston Villa defence.
It’s a done deal, just keep your eyes peeled for an official announcement from the club.
