Aston Villa complete £3m Tommy Elphick deal
Villa have confirmed the signing of defender Tommy Elphick in a £3million deal from Bournemouth.
The 28-year-old, the first signing for new Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo, has put pen to paper a three-year contract having cut short his honeymoon in order to complete the move.
Elphick was a key player as Bournemouth won promotion from League One and the Championship. Though injury limited him to just 14 appearances last season, Di Matteo sees him as the ideal man to provide Villa's defence with some much needed stability.
Di Matteo said: "I'm really pleased to bring Tommy to the club. He is a fantastic player and also a fantastic character which is very important.
"He knows what is required to win promotion to the Premier League from the Championship and that experience will be invaluable."
Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake meanwhile paid tribute to Elphick's achievements while at Dean Court.
He said: "Throughout his time here he has been a model professional, and will now leave behind the legacy of being this football club's most successful captain, leading us to two promotions and two club-record finishes.
Further signings are expected at Villa as Di Matteo, backed by new owner Tony Xia, looks to transform a squad which finished rock bottom of the Premier League into Championship contenders.
Watford reserve goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon is also among his targets, while the new manager also wants to bring in two new strikers.
