Watch: Aston Villa announce new goalkeeper in nod to Love Island


Aston Villa have confirmed the arrival of Andre Moreira on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid via their official website.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper is the club’s first official signing following a summer of turmoil and financial uncertainty.

Their off-field issues have been remedied for the time being following the investment from new majority owners in the form of Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, and the pair have sought assistance from a familiar super agent.

Jorge Mendes represents his compatriot Moreira and is known to have been contacted as the club look to bring in new faces ahead of their season opener with Hull next Monday.

A new keeper was a top priority after former stopper Sam Johnstone - previously on loan from Manchester United - made the permanent move to local rivals West Brom earlier in the summer.

Moreira has spent a number of seasons back on loan in Portugal since making the switch to Madrid and spent the second half of the previous campaign on loan at Liga NOS side Belenenses.

It was a nightmare start for the youngster, who conceded five goals on his debut, but he followed that disappointment with a string of five successive clean sheets which ultimately helped ensure the club’s survival. All in all the keeper conceded 12 goals in his ten appearances, though nine of those came across matches against Aves and Sporting CP.

 

 

Having arrived in the Midlands almost a week ago, Villa have been unable to finalise and announce the deal until now, doing so in topical fashion with a hat-tip to Love Island (above).

Watch: Aston Villa announce new goalkeeper in nod to Love Island