OFFICIAL: Aston Villa sign Chris Samba on one-year deal

Defender has trained with the Championship side in Portugal as well as helping them to two clean sheets in pre-season

CHRIS SAMBA has become the latest arrival at Aston Villa after impressing Steve Bruce on trial.

The 33-year-old has arrived at Villa Park as a free agent after he left Panathainaikos in January last season.

The veteran will bring even more experienced to Steve Bruce’s squad as he joins Glenn Whelan and John Terry at Villa Park.

During his time with Villa in pre-season, he has trained with the first team in Portugal and has also helped them to two clean sheets in friendlies against Telford and Walsall.

After signing for the Villains, he said: “I have enjoyed my time with Aston Villa and I am very pleased to continue this association after signing my contract with the club.

“I have played against Aston Villa many times and it’s always been a club I have had the utmost respect for because of its standing in the game.

“I can’t wait to put the shirt on this coming season.

“It’s a big season as everyone knows and if I can play my part in making it successful, I will be very happy.”

The 6ft 4in defender has played for two English clubs in the past after his five-year spell at Blackburn stretched from 2007-2012 and a short stint at QPR in 2013.

The former Congo international has also played for Hertha Berlin and Russian sides Dynamo Moscow and Anzhi Makhachkala.

Villa have also completed the £1million signing of Ahmed Elmohamady from Hull as he joins up with Bruce for the third time.

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