Express & Star

Aston Villa full-back Ritchie De Laet joins Melbourne City on-loan

Ritchie De Laet has departed Villa on-loan for Melbourne City – amid rumours Steve Bruce is plotting a move for ex-Wolves forward Bakary Sako.

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Full-back De Laet featured prominently for the Villans in pre-season but he hadn’t played in any of their six Championship game so far.

The Belgian joined Royal Antwerp on loan last season but he now heads to Australia with Melbourne City keen. City are managed by Warren Joyce who worked with De Laet when he was a youngster at Royal Antwerp and Manchester United.

Villa fans will hope his exit could see a renewed move for John Terry as Bruce works to tighten things up at the back.

Meanwhile, Bruce is reportedly keen on Sako who is a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace. Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough are also thought to be keen on the 30-year-old.