Villa break their record to sign Juan Pablo Angel

Aston Villa have broken their transfer record to sign the Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel from River Plate for £9.5 million.

The 25-year-old completed his move on 12 January, becoming the most expensive player in the club's history. He has signed a long-term contract at Villa Park.

A proven goalscorer

Angel has been one of the most prolific strikers in South American football. He joined River Plate, one of Argentina's biggest clubs, from Atletico Nacional in his home city of Medellin, and has scored regularly in Argentina's top division and in the Copa Libertadores.

He is also a Colombia international, and has played alongside some of the best players in South America. Villa manager John Gregory has watched him closely and believes he has the qualities to succeed in the Premiership.

A statement of intent

The signing is a sign that Villa are serious about pushing for a place in Europe. Gregory has been looking for a striker who can score regularly, and supporters have been calling for the club to spend money on a big-name player.

The fee beats the £7 million Villa paid Liverpool for Stan Collymore in 1997, the club's previous record, and is a sign of how far transfer fees have risen in recent years.

Chairman Doug Ellis, who has sometimes been criticised for his caution in the transfer market, has backed his manager with a significant sum. Fans will hope it is the start of further investment.

Settling in

Angel will need time to adapt to English football, which is faster and more physical than the game in South America. He will also have to get used to a new country, a new language and the English winter.

Villa have experience of helping foreign players settle, and the club says it will do everything it can to make the transition as smooth as possible. Angel has already been joined in the squad by other overseas players, including the Italian Carbone and the Frenchman David Ginola, who arrived from Tottenham last summer.

The season so far

Villa have had a mixed season. They have been hard to beat, but have struggled to score goals, and have drawn too many games to challenge the leading clubs.

Gregory hopes Angel's arrival will change that. The striker could make his debut in the coming days, with a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United among the fixtures ahead.

The fans' view

Supporters have welcomed the signing, although some are cautious. Several expensive foreign strikers have struggled in the Premiership, and Angel will be under pressure to justify his fee.

But many believe he could be the missing piece in Gregory's team. If he can find the net regularly, Villa could yet push for a place in Europe this season.

The new signing will be keen to get started, and to show that he can repay the faith Villa have shown in him.