Aston Villa Football Club shattered their transfer record on Thursday, when Club Brugge announced the transfer of 22-year-old Brazilian striker Wesley Moraes to the claret and blues.
Out of nowhere, Aston Villa found their target forward. It is not Tammy Abraham, it is not Dwight Gayle, and it is sadly not Maxi Gómez. But what they got might be just as exciting as the Uruguayan.
The arrival of Club Brugge’s Wesley Moraes, Belgium’s Young Professional Footballer of the Year in 2017/2018, after four seasons in the Jupiler Pro League, is a club record £22 million transfer. The previous record was the £18 million transfer of Darren Bent in 2011.
Kristof Terreur dropped the news to an unsuspecting Twitter audience:
7 years ago Aston Villa signed a strong, tall, promising 21-year old striker from the Jupiler Pro League.
— Kristof Terreur (@kristofterreur) June 13, 2019
Now they have signed a strong, tall, promising 22-year old striker from the same league: Brazilian Wesley Moraes from Club Brugge for £22m.@hlnsport @niels_27 #avfc pic.twitter.com/Np31ezkEUJ
It was later confirmed by both clubs:
Obrigado Wesley! Onze Braziliaanse spits is op weg naar Aston Villa FC. Good luck in the Premier League, Wes! 💪🏿💪🏿 #ObrigadoWesleyhttps://t.co/VvLxO5Yjs1 pic.twitter.com/AwNVzdeGYE
— Club Brugge KV (@ClubBrugge) June 13, 2019
Aston Villa and Club Brugge have agreed the transfer of Brazilian striker Wesley, subject to a work permit and international clearance.https://t.co/NrUp9tvZwj#AVFC pic.twitter.com/r2kJyx4QM1
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) June 13, 2019
Wesley signed a five-year deal with Villa, hopefully ensuring a long and fruitful career in England’s top flight. Despite being 22, and a young 22 at that (turns 23 in November), Wesley will be counted on early and often. He’ll slot in as the No. 1 centre-forward on the depth chart immediately, replacing the aforementioned Abraham, just ahead of Jonathan Kodjia, Scott Hogan and Keinan Davis. The former two, of course, have been the speculation of transfer moves themselves. It’s possible, likely even, Villa acquire another forward before the transfer window closes on Premier League opening day-eve.
But, Big Wes and his 6’3″ frame is an exciting as hell signing. He’ll get the Christian Benteke comparisons as a young striker Villa signed from the top of the league in Belgium. And while their player profiles aren’t too dissimilar, Wesley offers upside in many different areas.
Scouting thread on Wesley, #AVFC's new striker and club record deal.
— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) June 14, 2019
Astonishingly enough, he should become the first Brazilian to ever don the claret and blue of Aston Villa Football Club. Welcome, Wesley! UTV.