Forward Andreas Weimann is leaving Aston Villa after agreeing a four-year deal to play for Derby County in the Championship, the club's website reported. The fee was undisclosed, but was reported to be £2.75m.
The Austrian spent the last eight seasons with Aston Villa, including two loan spells with Watford in 2011. During his career at Villa Park, Weimann scored 24 goals in 129 appearances.
The 23-year-old did not feature regularly for Villa after Tim Sherwood took over for Paul Lambert and helped steer the club clear of relegation and into the FA Cup final. Now Weimann is keen to get a chance at regular first-team play with Derby.
"I'm excited to be here and I'm looking forward to the new challenge," Weimann said. "Derby have plans to be successful and get promoted and that's what attracted me here; I want to be part of that. The opportunity to play first-team football and drive the team to promotion is something that I want to do.
"I was at Aston Villa for eight years so I'm looking forward to this new stage in my career, although it will be a bit strange not being there. Eight years is a long time, especially in football, so maybe a change will do me good and get me started again."
Weimann will reconnect with former Villa teammate Darren Bent at Derby, after Bent was released by Villa at the end of this season and signed with the Championship side.
"I know Darren from my time at Aston Villa and I think that he is a really good signing for Derby," Weimann said. "He did really well on loan here last season and, wherever he plays, he scores goals. I am not shocked that he did so well at Derby and I am sure he will score loads of goals next season as well."
