Villa complete £8.5m Reo-Coker switch

Aston Villa have completed the signing of West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.

The two clubs agreed a fee - believed to be around £8.5m yesterday - and the England U-21 passed a medical and agreed personal terms this evening.

Reo-Coker becomes become Villa's second most expensive signing as only Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel cost more (£9.5m) when he moved from River Plate to Villa Park in January 2001 during John Gregory's reign as manager.

The deal which took Ashley Young from Watford to Villa Park during the transfer window six months ago could eventually rise from £8m to £9.65m, but that will depend on add-ons relating to appearances and international call-ups.