Amadou Onana is aiming to take Aston Villa to the top following the completion of his transfer from Everton on Monday.
Onana, who became Unai Emery's eighth signing this transfer window, signed a five-year contract in a deal worth £50million.
The 22-year-old will serve as a replacement for the departing Douglas Luiz, who completed a £42.35million switch to Juventus last month.
Onana featured in all four of Belgium's Euro 2024 fixtures in Germany, and made 72 appearances for Everton during his two-year stint at Goodison Park.
Villa are competing in the Champions League for the first time this season following their fourth place finish in the Premier League.
And Onana is keen to build on the foundations laid by Emery at Villa Park as he looks to bring success back to the West Midlands.
"To take what I can and help bring this football club to the top," Onana told Aston Villa's official website on his ambitions upon his arrival at the club.
"I think they had a tremendous season last year, and we have to surf on that vibe and try to compete for the top."
The Belgian international was linked with a before his switch to Villa, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all interested in his services.
However, Onana was able to list several positives of choosing to play his football under Emery, someone he described as "one of the best in the business".
"It was a bit of everything. It is a healthy atmosphere here for me to grow as a player, but also as a man," Onana told Aston Villa's official website.
"You guys played some very attractive football last season, loads of goals, and we will be playing in the Champions League next season.
"Those are some of the things that are very exciting with a manager who is, for me, one of the best in the business and I think he can take my game to the next level."
Onana has previously featured in the Champions League, making eight appearances during his time with Lille.
Having helped Everton avoid relegation from the Premier League over the past two years, Onana is looking forward to playing among Europe's elite once again.
"I think Champions League nights are different from any other night," Onana said. "It is a special feeling walking out to that Champions League song."
Los Angeles FC confirm departure of Fall to Barcelona
Mamadou Fall has completed a permanent transfer to Barcelona from Los Angeles FC, the MLS club confirmed on Monday.
Fall initially joined the 27-time La Liga champions on loan last season, making 22 appearances for Barcelona Atletic, who play in the third tier of the Spanish league system.
The 21-year-old spent the 2022-23 campaign on loan with Villarreal's B team but made his name with the Black and Gold in the MLS.
Fall arrived from Senegal to join the Montverde Academy as part of Sport4Charity, an organisation run by former Senegal international footballer Salif Diao.
He signed a two-year contract with LAFC in 2021 and would go on to make 42 appearances in all competitions, registering six goals and one assist in that time.
Barcelona's capture of the defender is not the first time they have signed a highly rated player from the MLS, having secured the services of Julian Araujo from LA Galaxy in 2023.
“Fall is a player with incredible potential and exceptional talent,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said.
“He began his professional journey at LAFC, and we are excited to see him join not only one of the top clubs in the world but also a great environment for his continued development.
"We wish him nothing but the best in his career at Barcelona.”
Hojbjerg secures loan transfer to Marseille as Postecoglou continues rebuild
Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has completed a move to Marseille.
Hojbjerg, who made 184 appearances for Spurs, will join the Ligue 1 side initially on loan with the agreement including an obligation to buy for £17million.
The Denmark international made 39 appearances in all competitions during Ange Postecoglou's first season in charge, but only 10 were from the start.
Hojbjerg had entered the final year of his contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and is Roberto De Zerbi's fifth signing of the transfer window.
The 28-year-old scored 10 times during his four years with Spurs, one of which came against his new employers in the Champions League to secure top spot in Group D back in 2022.
Hojbjerg becomes the seventh player to leave the club, following the departures of Joe Rodon, Eric Dier, Tanguy Ndombele, Ivan Perisic, Japhet Tanganga and Ryan Sessegnon.
Postecoglou continues his rebuild ahead of the 2024-25 Premier League season and have registered their interest in Chelsea's Conor Gallagher and Aston Villa's Jacob Ramsey.
Maatsen looking forward to working with 'brilliant' Emery at Aston Villa
Ian Maatsen labelled Aston Villa head coach as "brilliant" as he prepares for the club's maiden appearance in this season's Champions League.
Maatsen completed his £37.5million switch from Chelsea while on international duty with the Netherlands at Euro 2024.
The 22-year-old, who did not feature for Ronald Koeman's side in Germany, signed a six-year deal at Villa Park following an impressive loan spell with Borussia Dortmund last season.
Maatsen made 16 Bundesliga appearances, scoring two goals and helping Die Schwarzgelben reach the Champions League final, playing the full duration of their 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid at Wembley.
Emery led Villa to a fourth place finish in the Premier League, and has become well known for his success on the European stage during his time in Spain.
The Spaniard has won the Europa League on four different ocassions, while also guiding Villa to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League last term.
"Last season they did very well and the coach obviously is a brilliant coach with a lot of experience in Europe," Maatsen told Aston Villa's official club website.
"They are playing Champions League football this season so it is exciting. "He is a manager who loves to play football and win trophies.
"That was the challenge for me to come here and show the people that I am capable of doing these things at the highest level."
Maatsen made his Champions League debut in Dortmund's last 16 fixture against PSV Eindhoven, going on to make seven appearances in the competition.
And while many predict Emery's side to follow Newcastle after trying to juggle league and European commitments, the defender insisted that he is confident that Villa can become regulars in Europe's elite club competition.
"It's good because obviously we are here now to earn a spot in the Champions League every year - it's such a great competition."
Maatsen is one of seven new arrivals at Villa Park, with Emery taking his spending this transfer window to £140million after the arrival of Amadou Onana from Everton was confirmed on Monday.
Villa begin the 2024-25 season away to West Ham on August 17, a side they have failed to beat away from home in the league since a 2-1 victory at Upton Park back in April 2011.
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