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Lucas Digne revealed as Aston Villa player

By Andrew Capitelli

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Lucas Digne of Everton acknowledges the fans following victory in the Premier League match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park on August 14, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Lucas Digne of Everton acknowledges the fans following victory in the Premier League match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park on August 14, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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Aston Villa announced the permanent signing of left back Lucas Digne from Everton on Thursday morning.

Digne arrives in Birmingham on a four and a half year deal for a transfer fee of £23 million. The Frenchman is Villa’s second signing of the January transfer window and joins the club just days after Philippe Coutinho’s loan move from Barcelona was completed.

Out of favor with Everton boss Rafa Benitez, Digne made only 10 league appearances for the Toffees in 2021-22.

Villa manager Steven Gerrard prioritized the signing of a left back and, on his day, Digne is one of the most dynamic full backs in the Premier League. The creative potential of a Digne-Coutinho partnership on the left side of the pitch will be frightening for Premier League opposition.

France’s defender Luca Digne runs with the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification Group D football match between France and Bosnia-Herzegovina, at the Meineau stadium in Strasbourg, eastern France, on September 1, 2021. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
France’s defender Luca Digne runs with the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification Group D football match between France and Bosnia-Herzegovina, at the Meineau stadium in Strasbourg, eastern France, on September 1, 2021. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) /

Jack Grealish’s departure in the summer and Matt Targett’s persistent struggle for form have blunted Villa’s left-sided attack this season. Digne and Coutinho will provide a fresh threat from wide areas.

The duo were teammates for half a season at Barcelona and won the 2017-18 La Liga title. Digne signed for Everton in 2018 and made 110 appearances for the Liverpool side. He’s featured 43 times for the France national team.

Both Digne and Couthinho joined first team training and will be available for selection for Villa’s Premier League fixture with Manchester United on Saturday.

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