Aston Villa has completed the signing of midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton for £50m.

Belgium’s Euro 2024 campaign saw the 22-year-old play every minute, and now they have the chance to join Villa in the Champions League for the new season.

Everton signed Onana for £33m from Lille in 2022. He played 72 games for the Toffees and netted four goals.

Arsenal was rumored to be interested in signing him in 2023, and several other top clubs were also reportedly interested this summer.

Villa boss Unai Emery had been in the market for a new defensive midfielder after the club sold Douglas Luiz to Juventus for £42.35m in June.

“I’ll be playing in the Champions League again and that’s very exciting,” said Onana.

“We also have a manager that’s one of the best in the business and I think he can take my game to the next level.”

Onana explained that his decision to join the Midlands club was influenced by Villa midfielder and Belgium teammate Youri Tielemans.

“Youri played a big part in me being here because he told me lots of good stuff about the club,” said Onana.

In anticipation of the Champions League competition in the upcoming season, Villa, who finished fourth in the Premier League last term, are making moves to strengthen their squad.

It’s been since the 1982-83 season, the year they won the European Cup, that they haven’t been featured at that elite level.

Onana’s arrival has pushed Villa’s summer spending to around £140m.

Villa have made several big signings, including Ian Maatsen from Chelsea for £35m, Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea from Juventus for £18.6m, Jaden Philogene’s return from Hull for £18m, Ross Barkley’s move from Luton for £5m, and Lewis Dobbin’s transfer from Everton for £9m.

The start of their Premier League campaign is scheduled for Saturday, 17 August with a game against West Ham United.