Aston Villa have sealed the deal to land Ezri Konsa, it has been confirmed by the club’s official website.
Konsa was one of the prime targets of Aston Villa manager Dean Smith, and the West Midlands outfit have spent around £12 million to secure his services, BBC have reported.
Smith has been busy this summer as the club have signed Tyrone Mings, Kortney Hause, Wesley Moraes, Anwar El Ghazi, Jota, and Matt Targett to improve their squad and give them a fighting chance to survive relegation next season.
Konsa’s arrival will further bolster the Lions’ squad, as the towering centre-back had an impressive season for Brentford before his move.
Ezri Konsa: Career so far
Konsa emerged through the youth ranks of English side Charlton Athletic and had an impressive spell for the senior team which earned him a move to Brentford last summer.
He emerged as one of the instrumental players for the Bees last season as he made 42 appearances and mustered 1.2 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 3.6 clearances per game on an average.
Smith previously worked with him during his spell at the Griffin Park, so it’s no surprise that he is after him. The central defender has also represented the English Under-20 and Under-21 sides.
What will Konsa add to the team?
Konsa is a versatile player as he is capable of plying his trade as a central defender, full-back as well as a midfielder. He is a decisive tackler and despite his young age, he reads the game pretty well.
The 21-year-old makes good use of his physical strength, and is good in the air, which makes him a valuable asset in set-pieces. He is also deceptively quick, which would make him a good player to have in one-vs-one situations and while playing a high defensive line.
Over the past few seasons, Konsa has shown the maturity at the back, and he knows exactly how to position himself.
By no means is he a finished product, but considering the progress he showed in the Championship, it’s not long before he becomes a regular in the top-flight. Villa will hope that comes sooner rather than later.
