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Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Exclusives

Aston Villa have just beaten Chelsea to signing Leeds-born defender who’s been labelled a ‘great talent’

Milo Clay
Milo Clay
  • EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Aston Villa have won the race to sign a talented young defender, despite interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Enzo Maresca has already snapped up one centre-back this summer as Chelsea moved to land Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer after his contract expiring at Fulham.

But the Blues are set to miss out on another addition in central defence, with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa beating a host of clubs to the signing of Ethan Amundsen-Day.

TBR Football understands Villa have won the race for Norwegian youth international defender Amundsen-Day.

The Leeds-born 19-year-old arrives from FC Copenhagen with his contract expiring this summer and he has now agreed a move to the Premier League with Villa.

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano shares fresh McKennie to Aston Villa update after claims that the deal is ‘blocked’

Chelsea v Aston Villa - Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images

Aston Villa beat Chelsea to Ethan Amundsen-Day signing

TBR understands that Villa have beaten off competition from a number of clubs including Chelsea, Brentford, Everton and Wolves – as well as foreign sides Sevilla, Lens, Atalanta and Monza.

Amundsen-Day will be initially joining Villa’s youth set-up at Bodymoor Heath after racking up 68 appearances for Copenhagen U19s, registering three assists. 

The youngster has also played three times for Norway U18s after securing a move to Copenhagen from Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad FK in July 2021. 

READ MORE: Aston Villa readying £10m bid for ‘simply superb’ Brazilian talent

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa - Premier League
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Amundsen-Day labelled a ‘great talent’

After signing for Copenhagen almost three years ago, the Norwegian club’s head of recruitment, Mikkel Kohler, described Amundsen-Day as a strong defender with a brilliant left foot.

“In our eyes, Ethan is a talent at an international level, and he has the potential to go all the way with us if together we take the right steps,” he . 

“We have scouted him for a long time and had him on a training stay at FCK in the summer of 2020, where he showed that he is a great talent with the right skills both on and off the pitch.

“Ethan is physically strong and has a really good left foot. He has a strong personality who comes with natural leadership qualities and the right mindset to play at a club like ours.

“Overall, he is a player who has many tools and opportunities to make an impact, although he, like all young players, also has areas of development.”