Source: Telegraph
Aston Villa sign defender Habib Beye from Newcastle United
The Senegal right-back arrived at Villa's training ground on Friday morning for talks with the club, and has later passed a medical and signed on a three-year-contract for a fee believed to be worth £2.6 million. [LNB]The 31-year-old had been targeted by Phil Brown, the Hull manager. Hull were the first club to approach Newcastle, and the first to have a bid accepted. [LNB] Related ArticlesVilla and Man City can create 'top six'Europa League draw in fullDelph ready for step upPremier League transfersPremier League Transfer TalkSport on televisionHowever, Martin O'Neill, the Villa manager, moved faster, inviting Beye to Villa to begin talks once Newcastle had accepted their offer. [LNB]Talks progressed slowly through the day, with Beye's salary thought to have been a particular sticking point. [LNB]Now that he is on board, Beye, who is also able to play in the centre of defence, brings a versatility that would hugely benefit O'Neill bearing in mind the small size of his squad.[LNB]He could be expected to make his debut for the club next week, against Wigan, as Luke Young is sidelined with the same thigh problem that forced him to return home early from Villa's pre-season involvement in the Peace Cup in Spain. [LNB]Beye's presence with give O'Neill some much needed experience in the back line, following the retirement of Martin Laursen at the end of last season. [LNB]It was something that O'Neill was particularly keen to address: "The Premier League is particularly difficult,' he said. 'To give us a chance this season, I not only want some promising players in but also established players. [LNB]"The squad is essentially young so I'd like to add a bit of experience to it.'[LNB]
