Aston Villa sign striker Evan Guessand from Nice

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Nice forward Evann Guessand, the Premier League club announced on Friday.

The 24-year-old joins in a deal worth around €35 million ($47m) and signed a five-year deal at Villa Park, sources told ESPN.

He becomes Villa’s second first-team signing of the summer window, following the arrival of goalkeeper Marco Bizot from Brest.

Sources told ESPN that despite being offered a lucrative contract by Saudi Pro League side Neom, Guessand opted to move to Villa following a discussion with manager Unai Emery.

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The Ivory Coast international had also attracted interest from other European sides, including Premier League clubs Leeds United and Crystal Palace.

Guessand scored 22 goals and registered 16 assists in 120 Ligue 1 appearances, including 12 goals in a breakout campaign in France last season.

He represented France at youth level before making his senior international debut for Ivory Coast in 2024, scoring one goal in nine appearances for the African nation since.

Information from ESPN’s Julien Laurens contributed to this report.