Bertrand Traoré reveals familiar faces had a role in his arrival at Aston Villa

The Burkina Faso international joined yesterday and was announced today, and revealed that ‘familiar faces’ had a role in him joining.

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Bertrand Traoré signed for Aston Villa yesterday, with his official announcement coming this morning. He will join on a rumoured four-year deal for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.

The Burkina Faso international has joined from Olympique Lyon, having previously spent time at Chelsea, Vitesse and Ajax during his career.

25-year-old Traoré revealed that glowing references from some familiar faces helped play a major part in his arrival to Villa Park, having previously played with John Terry, Marvelous Nakamba and Anwar El Ghazi at three of his former clubs.

“I played with John Terry at Chelsea and I spoke to him.

“I spoke to the manager, spoke with the Sporting Director, as well as Marvelous and El Ghazi.

“With Nakamba, I talked to him about the club a little bit – many things made me take the decision to come here.”

In his first interview with the club, the forward revealed how happy he was to be returning to the Premier League with Aston Villa, after his initial spell with Chelsea ended with him only making ten appearances before subsequent loan spells to Vitesse and Ajax ended his time in London.

He completed a permanent move to Lyon in 2017, where he impressed in his first season, but has since struggled to recapture the form of his first season under various managers as Lyon continue to evolve.

He is now happy to return to the Premier League and is eager to impress for Aston Villa.

“I am excited to be back in England – I have always wanted to come back to the Premier League.

“I had to follow my own way as well, to gain some experience.

“Now is the right time to come back.

“I am coming back as a better player and with more experience.

“This is the right place for me to come back. It’s good.”

Traorè’s pedigree in the game is clear to see, with experience playing at the top level in the Netherlands, England and France, as well as having experience of football at a Champions League level.

Dean Smith, the Aston Villa manager, said:

“We’re delighted that Bertrand has chosen to come to Villa.

“He’s a player with immense talent, who will really enhance our attacking options.”