Aston Villa have confirmed Ross Barkley will join the club from Championship side Luton Town. The 30-year-old midfielder impressed on his return to the Premier League with the Hatters last season, who took their fight against relegation to the final day, scoring five goals and providing four assists.
However, Barkley will remain in the top flight as part of Unai Emery’s squad, who will take part in the UEFA Champions League this season for the first time in the club's history. This will be the England international's second stint at Villa, after spending the 2020/21 campaign on loan from Chelsea. During that campaign he registered three goals and one assist over 24 league appearances.
Throughout his time in the Premier League with Everton, Chelsea, Villa and Luton, Barkley has scored 34 goals and assisted 32 times in 264 appearances. His most productive season came in 2015/16 with the Toffees, directly contributing to 16 goals. Barkley has played 33 times for England, scoring six goals, with the last of his caps coming in 2019.
Aston Villa's 2024/25 preparations:
Villa have now signed five players this summer, with Barkley following Enzo Barrenechea, Samuel Iling-Junior, Lewis Dobbin and Ian Maatsen to Villa Park. Villa's first pre-season match ahead of 2024/25 is on 20 July against Spartak Trnava. They kick off their Premier League campaign at West Ham United on Saturday 17 August.
See: Summer 2024 transfers & news