‘Deal done’ – Aston Villa £13m new signing reveals why he snubbed Everton and Ipswich

Jaden Philogene admits he was excited by the prospect of playing in the Champions League after his return to Aston Villa was confirmed.

The 22-year-old makes a swift return to Villa Park, joining on a cut price deal of £13m after leaving for Hull City for £5m last summer. Crystal Palace, Everton and Ipswich Town all held an interest in signing him and both the Toffees and the Tractor Boys made bids of a higher value than Villa, but it is the Midlands club who have won the race.

Philogene returns having got 12 goals and six assists in 32 games for the Tigers as they finished seventh in the Championship. The London-born winger only made three Premier League appearances during his first spell at Villa but will certainly add to that after his return was confirmed.

“It feels amazing, it’s like I’m back at home,” he said in an interview posted on the official club website.

“Unai spoke to me face-to-face and we had a very good conversation about my playing time.

“He said I did well when I was here in pre-season last year and that I’m going to get chances this time. It also depends on me and how I play.”

Philogene will get an opportunity to force his way in to Unai Emery’s plans and might benefit from Moussa Diaby’s proposed move to Saudi Arabia. He has already linked up with his teammates, and and could feature during the United States leg of their pre-season schedule.

Last summer after a loan spell at Cardiff City in which he played a role in their Championship survival, he performed well in pre-season but made the conscious decision to depart once Hull made Villa aware of their interest with the guarantee of first-team football a driving factor behind his departure.

After his return was confirmed, he said: “It’s the latest chapter in my Villa journey and hopefully I can play my best, get game time and do it in front of the fans.

“What I did at Hull, I want to do the same things at Villa Park; make the fans aware of my skills and score goals.

“It’s a dream come true. When I was a little boy I wanted to play in the Champions League. I’ve always thought I want to be there one day and here I am.”

Philogene’s arrival is the first of two expected over the course of the weekend. Amadou Onana is poised to join from Everton in a club record £50m deal.