Aston Villa have announced the signing of midfielder Boubacar Kamara on a five-year deal from Marseille.
The 22-year-old was out of contract at the Ligue 1 outfit this summer, and had been linked with a number of high-profile clubs on a free transfer.
Manchester United had been most heavily linked with him, while the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest in the past.
However, Aston Villa have now won the race for his signature, with Kamara penning a long-term contract at Villa Park which will keep him at the club until 2027.
Kamara will officially join up with Steven Gerrard's side on July 1, after the expiration of his contract with Marseille.
Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of @BoubaKamara_4 on a five-year contract! ✅
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 23, 2022
"I am delighted that we have been able to attract one of the most promising young talents in European football," Villa boss Steven Gerrard told the club's official website.
"We have a very clear plan to make our team stronger and Bouba is an important part of that."
Kamara added: "When I met with Steven, Christian and Johan in my home I knew Aston Villa was for me.
"Their ambition and determination to succeed matches my own. I cannot wait for pre-season to get going."
Confirmation of the deal comes just a day after Aston Villa ended their 2021-22 campaign with a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Manchester City on the final day, squandering a two-goal lead in the space of five minutes to hand City the Premier League title.
Welcome to Aston Villa, @BoubaKamara_4! 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/hCnQtudtpe
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 23, 2022
Kamara's arrival is the second that Villa have confirmed before the opening of the transfer window, with Philippe Coutinho having already turned his loan into a permanent deal.
The new signing was recently called up to the France senior squad for the first time and could make his international debut in the Nations League match against Denmark on June 3.
Kamara came through the ranks with Marseille and has gone on to make 170 appearances for the club, scoring four goals and creating six more.
The defensive midfielder was a key part of the Marseille side that finished as runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 this season.
Villa, meanwhile, ended their campaign 14th in the Premier League table, six points off a top-half finish.
Barney Corkhill
