O’Leary strengthens defence with signing of Bouma from PSV

ASTON Villa have completed the £3.5million signing of PSV Eindhoven defender Wilfred Bouma.

His arrival follows those of Milan Baros, Kevin Phillips, Patrick Berger, Aaron Hughes and Stuart Taylor this summer.

Bouma, 27, ends a long association with PSV to join Dave O’Leary’s side.

He began his career with PSV, making his debut in the 1994/95 season, and aside from loans with MVV and Fortuna Sittard, has played all his club football for the Dutch outfit.

Bouma won four league titles with PSV, and although Villa have not been English champions since 1981, he believes the team O’Leary has assembled is full of potential.

“I know Aston Villa want to be challenging at the top of the table and I want to help. I want to do my best to improve the club,” he told www.avfc.co.uk.

“The manager David O’Leary was a massive reason for my signing for Villa. I had a great talk with him and he made it clear that he believes in me and my ability.