Villa midfielder Luiz joins Juventus in £42.35m deal

Italian side Juventus have completed the signing of Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz for £42.35m (€50m).

The 26-year-old Brazilian signed a five-year contract with the Serie A club to end his spell at Villa Park.

Luiz, capped 15 times by his country, scored 22 goals in 204 appearances for Villa, who signed him from Manchester City in 2019.

The midfielder is currently in the United States with the Brazilian team at the Copa América, where he completed his Juventus medical exams.

“I’m very happy to be a Bianconero,” said Luiz in a video on social media.

“I can’t wait to play at the Allianz Stadium. See you soon and Forza Juve!”

Luiz scored nine goals in 35 Premier League matches last season as Villa qualified for the Champions League for the first time by finishing fourth.

But Villa’s pressing need to comply with the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) meant they had to cash in on one of their key players.

PSR rules allow losses of up to £105 million over three years for Premier League clubs.

Villa have already sold 21-year-old midfielder Tim Iroegbunam to Everton for £9m, while Chelsea have completed a £19m move for 18-year-old midfielder Omari Kellyman.