HEAT IS ON
Aston Villa announce 11th transfer of summer with £8m capture of England keeper Tom Heaton from Burnley
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ASTON VILLA have announced their 11th transfer of the summer after confirming the £8million capture of England goalkeeper Tom Heaton from Burnley.
The Clarets had demanded £10m for Heaton but Dean Smith negotiated the price down after the No1 had refused to sign a new contract.
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Smith targeted the Three Lions stopper to continue Villa's massive squad overhaul ahead of their Premier League return.
On the deal the Villa Park chief said: “I am delighted that Tom is joining Aston Villa.
“He’s done fantastically well for Burnley over the past few years and his experience and knowledge of the Premier League will be a major asset to us this season.”
And Burnley boss Sean Dyche paid tribute to his old club captain and 2016-17 Player of the Year - the first player he ever brought to Turf Moor.
"TERRIFIC SERVANT"
Dyche said: “Tom has been a terrific servant to the club, as an individual, for the team and for the fans.
“He was a real ambassador around the place. He is in the final year of his contract, there was contact from Aston Villa and I believe he has been offered a very good contract for him and his family.
“It’s a very good fee for a very good player, but who is 33 with ten months left on a contract, which has to be balanced up.
“For me, more on the personal side, Tom is a fantastic bloke, a fantastic player and my first ever signing at Burnley Football Club.
Aston Villa's summer buys
WESLEY - £22m
TYRONE MINGS - £20m
DOUGLAS LUIZ - £15m
MATT TARGETT - £11.5m
EZRI KONSA - £12m
TOM HEATON - £8m
TREZEGUET - £8m
ANWAR EL GHAZI - £8m
BJORN ENGELS - £8m
JOTA - £4m
KORTNEY HAUSE - £3m
TOTAL SPEND - £101.5m
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“Without a shadow of doubt, for many, many years to come, I’m sure he’ll be remembered very fondly, not just on the pitch, but off the pitch as well as a top professional and a top person.”
Heaton - who made exactly 200 appearances for Burnley - becomes Villa's 11th summer signing, following Douglas Luiz - who most recently joined in a £15m deal from Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Burnley are already eyeing up a replacement for Heaton - with £2.6m Leeds stopper Bailey Peacock-Farrell on their radar.
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