- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Aston Villa have won the race to sign a talented young defender, despite interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Enzo Maresca has already snapped up one centre-back this summer as Chelsea moved to land Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer after his contract expiring at Fulham.
But the Blues are set to miss out on another addition in central defence, with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa beating a host of clubs to the signing of Ethan Amundsen-Day.
TBR Football understands Villa have won the race for Norwegian youth international defender Amundsen-Day.
The Leeds-born 19-year-old arrives from FC Copenhagen with his contract expiring this summer and he has now agreed a move to the Premier League with Villa.
READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano shares fresh McKennie to Aston Villa update after claims that the deal is ‘blocked’
Aston Villa beat Chelsea to Ethan Amundsen-Day signing
TBR understands that Villa have beaten off competition from a number of clubs including Chelsea, Brentford, Everton and Wolves – as well as foreign sides Sevilla, Lens, Atalanta and Monza.
Amundsen-Day will be initially joining Villa’s youth set-up at Bodymoor Heath after racking up 68 appearances for Copenhagen U19s, registering three assists.
The youngster has also played three times for Norway U18s after securing a move to Copenhagen from Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad FK in July 2021.
READ MORE: Aston Villa readying £10m bid for ‘simply superb’ Brazilian talent
Amundsen-Day labelled a ‘great talent’
After signing for Copenhagen almost three years ago, the Norwegian club’s head of recruitment, Mikkel Kohler, described Amundsen-Day as a strong defender with a brilliant left foot.
“In our eyes, Ethan is a talent at an international level, and he has the potential to go all the way with us if together we take the right steps,” he said.
“We have scouted him for a long time and had him on a training stay at FCK in the summer of 2020, where he showed that he is a great talent with the right skills both on and off the pitch.
“Ethan is physically strong and has a really good left foot. He has a strong personality who comes with natural leadership qualities and the right mindset to play at a club like ours.
“Overall, he is a player who has many tools and opportunities to make an impact, although he, like all young players, also has areas of development.”