Aston Villa confirms signing of Borussia Dortmund full back till 2030

Aston Villa have secured the deal of Ian Maatsen. The Borussia Dortmund loanee has signed a six-year deal at Villa, until June 2030. Chelsea will be receiving a fee of £37.5m, the Blues set him out on loan to the Bundesliga club and he performed excellently for the club throughout the season. The Dutch full-back helped his side qualify for the UEFA Champions League, but unfortunately, Dortmund lost the final against Real Madrid by 2-0. 

The Villians have kept track of the 22-year-old since the end of the 2023/24 season. He has played 38 games across all competitions for the Dortmund and the Blues scoring three goals and assisting twice. The UCL finalists also wanted to sign him permanently but they failed to race with Unai Emery's side. The Blues included a £35 million release clause in his contract, which has been negotiated and will come down as well. 

Villa qualified for the UEFA Champions League after 41 years. The Lions performed amazingly in the English Premier League's 2023/24 season, finishing fourth despite a dismal preseason. Manchester City's 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur sealed their position in the top-tier European championships for the 2024/25 season. They have not competed in Europe's premier club competition since 1991-92, when the European Cup was renamed the Champions League.

Aston Villa look to strengthen their bench

They last competed in the European Cup 41 years ago, in 1982-83, having won the previous season. Villa finished second and fourth in the Premier League in 1992-93 and 1995-96, respectively, however only first place qualified for the Champions League in both seasons. They will need to boost up their squad ahead of their major European club competition and will look to compete against the best side of Europe. 

Unai Emery has also extended his contract with the club as he will be staying with the club for five more seasons, till 2029. The Spanish manager won 29 games in 56 appearances for the club and won 20 matches in the EPL which was the most in the history of the club in a single season.