Aston Villa sign Jordan Ayew from Lorient in £12m deal

Ayew, 23, has signed a five-year contract at Villa Park and follows Jordan Amavi and Idrissa Gueye in making the switch from Ligue 1 to Villa Park and the Premier League.

"I am the happiest man in the world. It's one of my greatest days in football," he told Villa's official website. "My dream was to play for a big team in England - and Aston Villa is undoubtedly one of the greats in English football.

"It's the biggest (league) in the world. That's why when the opportunity came, I didn't have to think twice.

"I know all about the Premier League because I have a big passion for football.

"I watched all the games when I was in France. I know all about the team and I know all the players by name. Villa Park is one of the greatest stadiums in football.

"I can't wait to put on the claret and blue and get out there and play for the supporters. The support of the fans here at Aston Villa is amazing. Their passion is there for all to see. I am so proud to now be playing for them."

Ayew's brother Andre recently moved from Marseille to Swansea.

Jordan scored 12 goals and had six assists for Lorient last season and contributed heavily to their success in staying in the French top flight.

"I'm really pleased to bring Jordan to the football club," said Villa manager Tim Sherwood.

"He is a fantastic young player who is perfectly suited to the Premier League."

Ayew scored 12 goals last season, and had feared being priced out of a move to Villa on Saturday when he complained about the French club raising the asking price at the last minute.

“They said I could go for €10m or €12m,” he told L'Equipe. "But now they want £10m with £2m in add-ons, which makes it about €17m. It’s nonsense! I’m really annoyed, it’s amazing what they are doing to me. They pointed out how many millions Villa paid for (Jordan) Amavi (£10m) but I’m not Amavi. We’re two different players.

“It’s finished for me. They bought me for €5m and they are blocking me now. I am in Birmingham, I am off to Aston Villa and nothing will change my mind. My whole family wants to go to England. It’s the right time.

“I am not going to training (with Lorient) again. That’s over for me. It is true that I have a contract but I had a good year, so they make a good profit and you cannot change the rules like that … In my head, in any case, I have left.”

Eurosport.fr staff: "Jordan played for Marseille before he moved to Lorient; he is talent, technically gifted and fast, but he has to change his mentality. However, he had his best season last year and reached double figures for the first time. He also played well at the African Cup of Nations. He brought some consistency as a technical leader for Ghana when other big-name players went missing. With him, it’s often all or nothing. But Jordan, younger, is not as good as his brother. Andre can play everywhere with intensity and is tactically intelligent. For the moment, we can’t say the same thing for Jordan.”