Tshibola Confirms Move To Aston Villa

By Hob Nob Anyone?

This summer is starting to follow a similar pattern as key players continue to leave the club to be replaced with cheaper options. The departure of Aaron Tshibola to Championship side Aston Villa for five million pounds was confirmed this weekend. It is a huge disappointment to see such a big prospect exit the club, but there is nothing the club can do to stop talented players like Tshibola leaving when big money offers come in. The player was clearly determined to leave for a "bigger club" and five million pounds is the kind of money the Royals were never going to turn down when money is so tight.

Tshibola signs with Villa on a four year contract, which is clearly a great deal for the player and absolutely the right move for him. He will will link up with Steve Clarke who is now assistant manager at the just-relegated club, and obviously had a very high opinion of the player from his time with the Royals. Tshibola is a player on the up after establishing himself as a first pick for the Royals this season and having a great season when the Royals were generally struggling.

After releasing a number of players, and following the return of loanees at the end of the season, the squad is currently looking a bit light as Stam looks to strengthen on the cheap with the limited funds the club will allow him.

Forward player Jospeh Mendes became Reading's third summer signing last week, arriving at the club from second division French side Le Havre, and signing a two year contract. Mendes breaks the trend of the flow in of Dutch players, having being born and played most of his football in France. Having arrived in Le Havre two years ago, he went on to make 59 appearances for the club and scored 11 goals before his move to Reading.

Mendes follows the signing of Dutch midfielder Joey van den Berg, which completed on 1 July. Joey van den Berg, 30 years old also signed a two year deal. The only other signing so far this summer was fellow Dutch player Danzell Gravenberch who was confirmed as an early summer signing. It is seems clear that new manager Jaap Stam will need to find further players to strengthen what looks like a squad that will seriously struggle in the Championship this season.

From the Discussion

TR The Royal Forester 17 Jun 2016 · 4:01pm

The Reading Chronicle reports that Aaron Tshibola is being linked to Celtic and Aston Villa. I hope this is just paper talk and is far from the truth, any thought anyone?
EG East Grinstead Royal 17 Jun 2016 · 4:05pm

Massive disappointment if he does go, but the prospect of Champions League football would be hard for him to resist. Villa are set to be as big as Barcelona or Real Madrid, according to their new owner.
JS John Smith 17 Jun 2016 · 4:36pm

Overrated, always injured, only played 13 games. Goodbye and hello cash
NA Nameless 17 Jun 2016 · 4:42pm

Huge talent, we should be building a team round him. I would be surprised if he moved, or indeed teams took a risk until he proves his fitness. Despite having only 45ish games under his belt he looks like a seasoned pro. One to hold on to. There is a big difference between ex managers having names on lists and players moving of course.
MN Maneki Neko 17 Jun 2016 · 5:22pm

bad for us and him if he moves imo would sit on their benches not getting a game, whereas he would play every game next year here. I guess the champions league(1 game?) or bigger money could be enough to tempt him though, if he backs himself to push into their teams would be bloody awful though. at least with Gylfi we got a season out of him
NA Nameless 17 Jun 2016 · 5:36pm

He's a level headed chap, more likely than many to think a move through based on more than just a pay rise.
PA paddy20 17 Jun 2016 · 5:58pm

Overrated, always injured, only played 13 games. Goodbye and hello cash Cant believe you are saying that. He is quality and was about to play for England u 21's until he got injured. This will show whether the Thais are serious about developing a challenging team. Unless we get an offer in the region of £10m its essential we build a team around our best young players.
LO Longhorn1970 17 Jun 2016 · 6:28pm

Overrated, always injured, only played 13 games. Goodbye and hello cash -1 looks like he's on his way, the club will take anything they can get

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