Aston Villa has completed the signing of Spanish international defender Pau Torres from Villarreal, reuniting him with manager Unai Emery. The 26-year-old centre-back joins Villa for a reported fee of £35 million ($45 million).
Torres played a pivotal role in Villarreal’s success under Emery, notably winning the Europa League in 2021 and reaching the Champions League semi-finals the following year. Having progressed through the ranks of Villarreal’s youth academy, Torres made 123 appearances for his boyhood club.
With 23 caps for the Spanish national team, Torres brings experience and quality to Aston Villa’s defensive line. His arrival marks the club’s second signing of the transfer window, following the acquisition of Belgian international midfielder Youri Tielemans from Leicester City.
Under Emery’s guidance, Aston Villa underwent a remarkable transformation in his debut season as manager. The team’s seventh-place finish in the Premier League secured their qualification for European competition, marking their return to European football since 2010. Villa will participate in the Europa Conference League, a testament to Emery’s impact since taking charge in October when he replaced the sacked Steve Gerrard.
The signing of Pau Torres strengthens Aston Villa’s squad ahead of their upcoming campaign, and fans will be eager to see how the Spanish defender contributes to the team’s success in domestic and European competitions.
