Aston Villa have confirmed that they have completed a deal for Levante defender Andres Garcia.
The Premier League outfit are currently preparing for a potentially-pivotal Champions League fixture at Monaco on Tuesday night.
Nevertheless, it has not prevented Villa from finalising the arrival of Garcia with the club having been keen to sign a new right-back since the start of the January window.
Although a fee has not been disclosed by the West Midlands club, widespread reports have indicated that they are paying in the region of £6m for the 21-year-old.
Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Andrés García from Levante. pic.twitter.com/E98nD900u6
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 21, 2025
Who is Andres Garcia?
Garcia has come through the academy system at Estadi Ciutat de Valencia to make a total of 50 appearances in the first team.
A total of four goals and six assists have been contributed during that period, all but three of Garcia's outings having come in the second tier of Spanish football.
His only experience of facing La Liga opposition is through brief substitute outings versus Getafe and Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey during 2023.
The current expectation is that Garcia will provide cover for the remainder of the campaign with Matty Cash remaining first choice at right-back.
Fellow young full-back Kosta Nedeljkovic - who has two starts and seven substitute outings to his name this season - is reportedly in line to go out on loan.
© Imago
A busy month for Villa
Villa had already signed Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund before announcing the acquisition of Garcia, the Netherlands international essentially acting as a replacement for Jaden Philogene who has left for Ipswich Town.
However, there will be more incomings and outgoings with Unai Emery's squad with Diego Carlos allegedly on the brink of signing for Fenerbahce.
Sevilla's Loic Bade has been earmarked as his replacement, and more alterations to the senior crop cannot be ruled out with Villa continuing to work to ensure that they comply with the relevant financial regulations.
That will become easier should Villa qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, Emery's side currently sitting in fifth position in the standings ahead of showdowns with Monaco and Celtic.
Darren Plant
