Tyrone Mings: Aston Villa complete 拢20m signing of Bournemouth defender

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, Tyrone Mings has previously played in the Premier League for Bournemouth

Aston Villa have completed the 拢20m signing of Bournemouth central defender Tyrone Mings.

Villa boss Dean Smith and chief executive Christian Purslow were determined to complete a permanent move for Mings, 26, after he impressed on loan last season.

Mings helped the Villans return to the Premier League in May via the play-offs.

"We're really pleased to have Tyrone back at Aston Villa," Smith said.

"He will be an integral part of the squad for the new season and I look forward to working with him and helping to further develop his game."

Mings is Villa's sixth signing of the summer. His transfer follows deals for Kortney Hause and Anwar El Ghazi, who were both also on loan at the club last season, as well as Matt Targett from Southampton, Wesley from Club Brugge and Jota from Birmingham City.

Right-back Frederic Guilbert, who Villa signed from Caen in the January transfer window, has also joined this summer having spent the second half of last season on loan at his previous club.

Villa are pursuing a 拢10m deal for Egypt midfielder Trezeguet, who plays for Kasimpasa in Turkey.

Trezeguet was in the Egypt team knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations by South Africa in Cairo on Saturday.

Manager Smith and Villa sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch were in Cairo for the match as they explore a potential deal.

Smith and Pitarch also used the trip to Cairo to run the rule over another Aston Villa transfer target, West Bromwich Albion central defender Ahmed Hegazi, who figured in the shock defeat against South Africa.

Villa are determined to strengthen in defence for their return to the Premier League, as proved by the deal for Mings, and the 28-year-old Baggies' star is also on their radar.

Trezeguet was the main subject of their attention but Villa are also ready to move for Hegazi given any encouragement from their Midlands rivals.

They have also been linked with Stoke City's England goalkeeper Jack Butland but an initial price tag of 拢27m has stopped a potential move in its tracks.